This bill prohibits the President from selling, transferring, or exporting certain defense articles or services to Israel, except in specified circumstances. Defense articles covered by the prohibition include BLU-109 bunker busting bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) assemblies, and 155mm artillery ammunition. Defense services directly related to such articles are also covered. The President may sell, transfer, or export such defense articles or services to Israel if (1) a law is enacted specifying the purposes for which such articles or services may be used, and (2) Israel provides written assurances that the defense articles or services will be used for those specific statutory purposes and in a manner consistent with certain other laws, including international human rights laws.
Editorial Explainer
This bill blocks the US President from selling or transferring bunker-busting bombs (BLU-109s), precision-guided bomb kits (JDAMs), and 155mm artillery ammunition to Israel unless Congress passes a new law explicitly approving the sale for specific purposes AND Israel gives written guarantees it will use them only for those approved purposes and in compliance with international human rights laws.
Why it matters
This would be the first categorical restriction on specific US weapons types to Israel, requiring affirmative congressional action and binding use assurances rather than relying on existing blanket military aid agreements. It directly constrains the types of munitions available for potential use in occupied territories or civilian areas.