In a move to accelerate arms sales to Israel, the Biden administration has deployed a specialized “Tiger Team” and established the Israel Significant Initiatives Group, according to procurement records scrutinized by The Intercept. This initiative, nestled within the Army’s Defense Exports and Cooperation office, aims to facilitate swift weapons transfers to Israel and address potential obstacles in the process.
Biden Administration Initiates “Tiger Team” to Expedite Arms Sales to Israel Despite Concerns
The Tiger Team, a crisis rapid response unit composed of diverse experts, collaborates daily with the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), responsible for executing U.S. arms sales. The team’s role is to identify and overcome barriers and delays in weapons transfers, reflecting the administration’s commitment to expediting arms deliveries to Israel.
The existence of both the Tiger Team and the Israel Significant Initiatives Group had not been previously disclosed. Critics argue that this move contradicts President Biden’s recent acknowledgment of the indiscriminate nature of Israel’s actions in Gaza and raises concerns about the potential harm to civilians.
Former director for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Josh Paul, who resigned in protest of the administration’s weapons assistance to Israel, emphasized the contradiction between the administration’s acknowledgment of civilian harm and its efforts to hasten arms transfers. Paul asserts that this decision may not be a point of pride for the administration.
While the Defense Department did not respond to requests for comments, anonymous sources familiar with the Tiger Team revealed that the group has raised concerns about civilian harm in Gaza resulting from U.S. weapons sales to Israel. However, these concerns purportedly face a lack of interest and direction from higher authorities.
Defense contractors are being enlisted to support both the Tiger Team and the Israel Significant Initiatives Group. Job postings from the Hoplite Group and Sigmatech indicate their involvement in staffing for these initiatives.
The move to expedite arms sales comes in the wake of the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep its main interest rate steady, signaling potential rate cuts starting as early as next summer. Critics argue that this prioritization of arms sales, despite acknowledged civilian harm, raises ethical questions.
As the Tiger Team and the Israel Significant Initiatives Group work to fast-track weapons exports, questions surrounding transparency and the administration’s commitment to addressing civilian harm persist. The Biden administration faces scrutiny for its approach to arms sales to Israel, with concerns about the impact on the ongoing conflict and the civilians caught in the crossfire.
