Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Saturday that he has authorized an emergency delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel, reversing a Biden-era partial arms embargo and reinforcing President Donald Trump’s unwavering backing of the Jewish state. In a press statement, Rubio hailed the move as proof that “Israel has no greater ally in the White House than President Trump,” spotlighting a swift policy shift since Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
“I have signed a declaration to use emergency authorities to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel,” Rubio stated, framing it as a correction to Biden’s “wrongly withheld” weapons and ammunition.
READ: Rubio Defends Trump’s Peace Push, Urges Zelenskyy Reset After Oval Office Clash
The aid, fast-tracked under emergency powers, adds to nearly $12 billion in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Israel approved by the Trump administration in its first six weeks. Rubio tied the decision to Trump’s repeal of a Biden memorandum that had slapped “baseless and politicized conditions” on aid, a policy critics said hamstrung Israel amid its multi-front war against Iran and its proxies, like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The announcement underscores a sharp pivot from Biden’s approach, which faced GOP ire for pausing certain arms shipments—such as 2,000-pound bombs—in 2024 over concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. Trump, who campaigned on ironclad support for Israel, has moved quickly to dismantle those curbs.
The $4 billion package, details of which weren’t specified, is expected to include precision munitions, air defense systems, and other gear to bolster Israel’s fight against Tehran-backed threats, aligning with Rubio’s pledge to “counter security threats” using “all available tools.”
READ: Op-Ed: It’s Time For America’s Relationship With Ukraine To Change—How About Divorce?
Israel, locked in conflict since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack, has leaned heavily on U.S. support to fend off rocket barrages and ground incursions. Rubio’s statement nods to that urgency, calling it a “war of survival” and echoing Trump’s view that Biden’s hesitance left a key ally vulnerable.
Since January, the administration has greenlit sales far outpacing Biden’s last year, with Rubio signaling more to come. “The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security,” he said.
The move has drawn applause from pro-Israel hawks but may stoke debate among Democrats who’ve urged restraint amid Gaza’s humanitarian toll.
Still, with Republicans holding Congress, opposition faces an uphill climb. Rubio’s declaration—paired with Trump’s memo repeal—marks a clear message: under this White House, Israel’s arsenal stays stocked, no strings attached. As the aid rolls out, it’s a tangible sign of Trump’s promise kept, with Rubio steering the State Department to match that resolve.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.