Cotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
September 25, 2024

Cotton, McConnell to President Biden: Weapons Delays Cost Lives and Embolden Iran

Washington, D.C. - Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) today sent a letter to President Joe Biden condemning his continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel as they face a multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies. Further delays will continue to escalate conflict and embolden our shared enemies.

In part, the senators wrote:

"Further delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It's far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win."

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

September 25, 2024

President Joseph R. Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Biden:

We write to strongly condemn your administration's continued delay in providing critical military equipment and weapons to our ally Israel in the midst of an existential war. Delays of equipment that Israel requires to win its multi-front war against Iranian-terrorist proxies, compounded by statements by Administration officials blaming Israel for escalation, undercut Israel's efforts to restore deterrence by emboldening the Iranian-backed terrorists.

We have reason to believe your administration is currently delaying three critical types of military weapons or equipment.

• MK-84 bombs: Israel requires these bombs to hit Hamas's deeply buried tunnels and other military infrastructure in Gaza. Hezbollah also has significant military infrastructure that Israel must destroy.
• Apache attack helicopters: Despite ongoing discussions between the United States and Israel, your administration has failed to fast-track and approve the sale of Apache attack helicopters. Israel requested these helicopters last December, recognizing the increased need given the war in Gaza. That need has only increased with Hezbollah's escalation in the north.
• Caterpillar D9 tractors: We recently learned you are holding up tractors that the IDF uses to clear improvised explosive devices (IEDs) ahead of its troops. Israel puts armor on these tractors and uses them to save the lives of scores of Israel Defense force (IDF) soldiers and civilians.

Further delays will endanger Israeli lives, increase the likelihood that the conflict will escalate further, and harm American national security interests. It's far past time to transfer to Israel the capabilities it needs to win.

Sincerely,

Tom Cotton

United States Senator

Mitch McConnell

United States Senator

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