October 16, 2023 - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has sent a letter with U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) to President Biden urging him to take quick action to ensure Israel has the munitions it needs, including Iron Dome interceptors. The letter noted that the conflict could expand and that Israel may need additional munitions. The senators urged the Department of Defense to assess its stockpiles of munitions; to stand ready to coordinate ammunitions transfers to Israel; and to submit to Congress requests for any necessary supplemental assistance packages.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

“We are grateful your Administration has already granted all of Israel’s requests for military hardware and that you authorized additional intelligence sharing with the Israeli military,” wrote the senators. “However, as Israel braces for a longer conflict, one that could expand to additional fronts, we urge the Administration to continue to cooperate with Israel on its military, intelligence, and humanitarian needs. Thus far, Israel has requested munitions and Iron Dome interceptors. It may soon need additional types of munitions, personal protective equipment, assistance to rebuild communities, and/or intelligence regarding Iranian cooperation with Hamas and its regional proxies.”

The letter continued, “We ask that the Department of Defense holistically assess its stockpiles of these defense articles—especially Iron Dome interceptors– so that it can quickly transfer these munitions to Israel, upon request. We further urge the Department of Defense to coordinate ammunition transfers with allies, especially those that have joined American calls of support for Israel. Finally, we urge the Administration to quickly evaluate these stockpiles, allied commitments, and near-term Israeli needs and submit to Congress any necessary supplemental assistance packages so that Congress may act quickly to get Israel the support it needs during this crisis.”

Senator Gillibrand has long led a bipartisan letter in support of U.S.-Israeli cooperative missile defense programs, which advance U.S. national security interests by supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself against missile and rocket attacks. For several years, Senator Gillibrand has secured at least $500 million annually for these important programs. In the Senate, Gillibrand has led the push for these programs dating back to at least 2012.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear President Biden,

Thank you for your commitment to Israel as it responds to Hamas’ October 7 invasion. We are grateful that you have updated the Department of Defense’s force posture in the region to deter action from Iran or its proxies. We join your condemnation of Hamas’ detestable attacks and hostage taking, and urge quick action to ensure Israel has the munitions and supplies it needs to defend itself and protect civilians.

Israel is countering Hamas, dismantling its command structure, and recovering hostages. Israel is successfully expelling Hamas terrorists that infiltrated parts of southern Israel. Israel has displayed remarkable resilience and ability in responding to thousands of Hamas’ rockets and its initial assault. We are grateful your Administration has already granted all of Israel’s requests for military hardware and that you authorized additional intelligence sharing with the Israeli military.

However, as Israel braces for a longer conflict, one that could expand to additional fronts, we urge the Administration to continue to cooperate with Israel on its military, intelligence, and humanitarian needs. Thus far, Israel has requested munitions and Iron Dome interceptors. It may soon need additional types of munitions, personal protective equipment, assistance to rebuild communities, and/or intelligence regarding Iranian cooperation with Hamas and its regional proxies.

We ask that the Department of Defense holistically assess its stockpiles of these defense articles — especially Iron Dome interceptors — so that it can quickly transfer these munitions to Israel, upon request. We further urge the Department of Defense to coordinate ammunition transfers with allies, especially those that have joined American calls of support for Israel. Finally, we urge the Administration to quickly evaluate these stockpiles, allied commitments, and near-term Israeli needs and submit to Congress any necessary supplemental assistance packages so that Congress may act quickly to get Israel the support it needs during this crisis.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests and for your steadfast support of Israel.

Sincerely,
Source: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand,