In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Biden administration recently employed emergency authority to fast-track the sale of nearly 14,000 120-millimeter tank ammunition cartridges to Israel. This decision, coming amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas, raises crucial questions about the balance between national security interests and the principles of accountability and human rights.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken invoked emergency authority on December 9, 2023, facilitating the immediate sale of artillery rounds to Israel. This move bypassed the customary 15-day congressional review period, emphasizing the urgency perceived by the administration.

Proponents of the emergency arms sale argue that it is crucial for supporting Israel's self-defense capabilities amid ongoing conflict. Israel has been facing a barrage of attacks from Hamas, necessitating swift access to weapons for strategic and tactical advantages.

Historical precedence, such as the emergency sale of tank ammunition to Ukraine in 2022, showcases instances where such transactions bolstered defensive capabilities without evidence of civilian harm. In this context, supporters contend that the U.S. must stand by its allies in times of crisis, particularly against perceived external threats.

However, critics argue that the rapid delivery of weapons undermines effective oversight, especially amid rising concerns about Palestinian civilian casualties. Reports suggest that U.S.-made weapons have been implicated in civilian harm during Israel's military offensive in Gaza.

The Biden administration's own policies on civilian protection and human rights, including the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, aim to prevent U.S. complicity in violations. The emergency arms sale, in this light, seems contradictory to these policies, especially considering the escalating civilian casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The question for debate is, should the U.S. President be able to bypass Congress in selling U.S. military weapons to other countries in conflict?