Ernst Demands Answers on Reports of Ammo Withheld from Israel

WASHINGTON – After reports that the United States withheld an ammunition shipment to Israel, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.), who just returned from Israel, demanded answers from President Joe Biden.

Following this oversight letter, the Biden administration publicly confirmed they did hold up weapons to Israel.

The senators wrote, “We are shocked that your administration has reportedly decided to withhold critical ammunition to Israel. You promised your commitment to Israel was ironclad. Pausing much-needed military support to our closest Middle Eastern ally signals otherwise. We are deeply concerned that your administration failed to notify Congress about this decision.”

In the letter, the lawmakers pointed out that President Biden previously said that providing arms to Israel was imperative to Israel’s efforts to secure the release of the hostages.

“We must give Israel the arms it needs to fight the Hamas terrorists that continue to hold Americans hostage. We call on your administration to immediately restart the weapons shipments to Israel today as it continues to fight Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed threats,” the senators concluded.

The senators requested what ammunition Biden’s administration withheld from Israel, whether Congress approved this ammunition, and why Congress was not notified.

Read the full letter here.

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