US approves 20,000 assault rifles sale to Israel

The Trump administration has proceeded with the sale of over 20,000 U.S.-made assault rifles to Israel, a deal previously delayed by the Biden administration due to concerns over potential use by extremist Israeli settlers. The $24 million sale, intended for the Israeli National Police, was notified to Congress on March 6. The Biden administration had previously imposed sanctions on individuals linked to violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where settler attacks on Palestinians have increased. Trump's administration rescinded these sanctions on Israeli settlers on his first day in office, allowing for continued arms sales to Israel. The U.S. State Department noted that various considerations, including human rights, were taken into account for the transaction; however, it did not clarify whether assurances were sought from Israel regarding the weapon's use. Settler violence has been a contentious issue, with incidents on the rise amidst ongoing tensions in the region.