From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Dozens of US generals urge Biden to arm Israel against Iran, as lesson from Ukraine
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Dozens of American generals and admirals sign a letter calling on US President Joe Biden’s administration to expedite shipments of advanced arms to Israel to help create a credible military threat against Iran’s nuclear program.
“The United States should apply lessons of the year-old Ukraine conflict: It’s vital to arm capable and willing partners facing regional threats, and best to do so before conflict erupts,” write the 44 flag officers in a letter organized by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. “To confront this pressing high-priority threat, the United States should immediately provide Israel with the advanced weapons it needs to deter and prevent a nuclear Iran.”
The officers asked the White House to sell, lease and preposition KC-46A aerial refueling tankers, F-15I fighter aircraft, F-35 multirole combat aircraft, and precision-guided munitions, including joint direct attack munition (JDAMs) precision guidance systems.
“By acting now to augment Israel’s military capabilities, the United States can help Israel defend itself by itself, prevent a nuclear Iran, and address one of the most pressing strategic challenges America faces today,” they write.
