R-L: Trump, Netanyahu in Washington.
By agency report
The Trump administration is weighing a weapons sale to Israel worth nearly $6 billion, the Wall Street Journal reported.
According to people familiar with the matter, White House needs congressional approval for the deal, which includes $3.8 billion for 30 AH-64 Apache helicopters and $1.9 billion for 3,250 infantry assault vehicles for the Israeli army.
Trump administration officials floated the first proposal to Congress around 30 days ago, the WSJ said.
In spite of President Donald Trump’s frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to attack Hamas officials in Qatar, the administration has not stopped pushing for approval of the latest sale to Israel.
Nevertheless, if the sale is approved, it would take between two and three years for the weapons to be delivered to Israel, the report said.
“The arms would be paid for by U.S-provided foreign military financing, according to the documents.
“Israel buys most of its American-made weapons using U.S. taxpayer money that comes via billions of dollars in annual military aid,” the report added.
