The Trump administration has sold more than 20,000 US -made automatic rifles in Israel last month, according to a document that came under the possession of Reuters News Agency and a source with knowledge of the matter, promoting a sale that former President Joey settlers.

The State Department sent a disclosure to Congress on March 6th on the sale of $ 24 million in the Colt Carbine automatic rifles, noting that the final user would be Israeli police, according to the document.

The sale of rifles is a small transaction compared to billions of dollars worth Washington to Israel. But he caught attention when the Biden administration delayed the market, citing concerns that weapons could end up in the hands of Israeli settlers, some of whom have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank occupied by the Israeli bank.

The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on persons and entities on charges of committing violence on the West Bank, which records an increase in settlers attacks against Palestinians.

On his first day at the White House on January 20, Donald Trump issued an executive decree with which he recalled penalties against settlers in a overthrow of US policy. Since then, his administration has approved the sale of millions of weapons to Israel.

Information to Congress on March 6th states that the US government took into account the parameters “political, military, economic, human rights and weapons control”.

The State Department did not respond when asked if the US government requested assurances from Israel over the use of weapons.

Close ties

Donald Trump has forged close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, committing to supporting Israel in his war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. His government has in many cases made arms sales in Israel despite demands by Democratic MPs Sales suspended until more information is received.

The US Senate yesterday strongly rejected an attempt not to sell weapons in Israel of $ 8.8 billion dollars based on human rights concerns, voting against 82 votes against 15 in favor of 83 votes against 15 in favor of two resolutions.

The resolution plans were submitted by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermond, an independent who works with the Democrats.

The sale of rifles had been postponed, as Democratic MPs disagreed and requested information on how Israel plans to use them. The Committees of Congress had finally given the green light to the sale, but the Biden administration did not go ahead.

Israeli Minister of National Security Itahamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, oversees the Israeli police force. The Times of Israel wrote in November 2023 that the ministry is “very emphasis on equipping security groups for citizens” the day after the October 7 attacks.