Despite growing worldwide calls for an arms embargo, the Biden administration in recent days has approved the transfer of billions of dollars worth of new weapons shipments to Israel, including warplanes and 2,000-pound bombs.
The Washington Post reported on Friday that the administration has “quietly” authorized arms shipments including more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs, as well as 25 F-35A fighter jets and engines worth approximately $2.5 billion.
The Post reported, citing US officials who chose to remain anonymous, that the 2,000-pound bombs have previously been associated with significant casualties during Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
“Instead of implementing the UN resolution demanding a ceasefire, Biden again chose to fuel the slaughter,” accused author Trita Parsi.
The transfers are the latest of more than 100 arms shipments authorized by the Biden administration since the October 7 attacks on Israel.
“‘Quietly,'” Palestinian American writer and political analyst Yousef Munayyer scoffed in response to the report. “This is cowardly from the administration. If you are going to be full backers of genocide, own it. We see you and history sees you as well.”
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said in a statement: “We strongly condemn the Biden administration’s unbelievable and unconscionable decision to secretly send hundreds of new 2,000-pound bombs and other weapons to support Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocide. Arming a war criminal makes you a war criminal.”
The International Court of Justice in January found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza and ordered the country to prevent genocidal acts. However, Israel has been accused of ignoring the ICJ order, and amid ongoing atrocities—including the forced starvation of Palestinians.
The court on Thursday issued another order demanding that Israel allow desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.
