The United States long has been an ally of Israel, supplying weapons to the Israeli government to defend itself against potential attacks. Now, in the face of widespread unrest and violence from the region, Democrats are trying to tighten the rules for weapons given to foreign countries.
The call for tighter rules comes as concerns mount that the use of U.S.-supplied weapons could contribute to increased violence in the Middle East. Democrats also are wary that U.S. military aid could be used by Israel in ways that go beyond legitimate self-defense. As the U.S. continues to provide arms to Israel, lawmakers are seeking greater oversight and accountability.
In an effort to provide a greater measure of security, Democrats recently joined with Republicans to pass a measure which requires “end-use monitoring and verification of all U.S. arms to Israel.” This proposal requires the U.S. government to examine how arms are used in an effort to ensure that weapons don’t end up being used for purposes that go beyond legitimate self-defense.
The measures also include a renewed commitment to diplomatic efforts in the region. This allows the US to continue fortifying diplomatic efforts to reduce violence and bring about long-term peace in the region.
Finally, the legislation seeks to place additional restrictions on weapons transfer and support for military operations. The hope is that by placing additional limits on the weapons given to foreign countries, the U.S. can prevent weapons from ending up in the wrong hands.
Ultimately, the effort to keep U.S. weapons from being misused or authorized for offensive operations is a noble endeavor. American taxpayers deserve assurance that arms provided to foreign countries are used for self defense only, and that the weapons are properly monitored. By seeking greater oversight and accountability over the use of U.S. arms, Democrats are taking a rightful step toward peace in the Middle East.
