Today, Explained America and Israel
May 19, 2021
In this discussion, Alex Cain, a reporter for Jewish Currents and 972 Magazine, delves into the recent U.S. arms deal with Israel, highlighting bipartisan divisions and rising criticism from within the Democratic Party. He explores shifting attitudes towards the Israel-Palestine conflict among Americans and lawmakers, influenced by progressive voices and urgent human rights concerns. The conversation also touches on the historical ties between the U.S. and Israel, revealing the complexities of evolving political support and implications for future relations.
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Arms Deal Revelation
- The Biden administration approved a $735 million arms deal with Israel on May 5th.
- This deal, supplying bombs currently used in the conflict, was revealed by Jackie Alamany of the Washington Post.
Deal as Leverage
- Progressive Democrats considered leveraging the arms deal to pressure the Biden administration for a ceasefire.
- Some even wanted the deal halted, requiring bipartisan agreement, which proved challenging.
Arms Deal specifics
- The $735 million arms deal includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and guided bomb units (GBU-39s).
- These transform unguided bombs into precision-guided missiles used against Palestinians.