The Trump administration has proceeded with the sale of over 20,000 US-made assault rifles to Israel, according to a document reviewed by Reuters and a source familiar with the deal. The sale, previously held up under former President Joe Biden due to concerns the weapons might be used by extremist Israeli settlers, was approved last month.
A congressional notification dated March 6 stated that the $24 million sale involved Colt Carbine 5.56 mm fully automatic rifles, with the designated recipient listed as the Israeli National Police.
Although modest compared to the billions of dollars in US military aid regularly supplied to Israel, the deal attracted scrutiny under the Biden administration. Officials had delayed the transaction amid fears the weapons could be misused by settlers involved in violent attacks against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
During Biden’s tenure, the US imposed sanctions on individuals and organisations accused of carrying out such violence. However, on January 20—his first day in office—President Trump issued an executive order reversing those sanctions, signalling a shift in U.S. policy. Since then, his administration has authorised the sale of billions of dollars’ worth of arms to Israel.
The March 6 notice to Congress stated that the US government had considered “political, military, economic, human rights, and arms control considerations” in approving the rifle sale.
The State Department declined to comment on whether any assurances were sought from Israel regarding how the rifles would be used.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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