An Investigation into Shipment of Military Components
Recent findings by a left-leaning research organization have revealed that Challenge Airlines, an Israeli cargo carrier, transported numerous components for contentious bunker-buster bombs through New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
Details of the Shipments
According to data analyzed by the Movement Research Unit and published by The Intercept, Challenge Airlines completed three flights in the spring season carrying bomb casings for the BLU-109 munitions—two thousand-pound bombs associated with several mass-casualty incidents in civilian areas across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran in recent times.
Additionally, the airline conducted over 100 shipments of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which transform conventional bombs into GPS-guided munitions designed for precise targeting. Many of these kits were designated for use with the MK-84 bomb, another two-thousand-pound ordinance utilized in Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza.
Concerns Over Civilian Safety
Josh Paul, a former State Department official who resigned in protest against the Biden Administration’s military support for Israel, expressed concerns regarding the risks associated with using such heavy munitions in urban settings. He stated, “Historical data from U.S. military operations indicates that deploying 2,000-pound bombs in urban environments leads to high civilian casualties.”
“There is no way to use a 2,000-pound bomb discriminately in an urban environment.”
Military Use in Conflict Zones
Unlike the U.S., which has expressed caution about the deployment of these weapons, Israel has actively utilized them in various attacks, including a devastating strike on Gaza’s Jabaliya refugee camp, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
In light of these developments, members of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are advocating for an end to military shipments through JFK, emphasizing the impact on innocent civilians in conflict zones. DSA member Henry stated, “The prioritization of civilian safety in air travel over the militarization of supply chains is crucial.”
Scope of Military Shipments
The investigative report shows that Challenge Airlines transported bunker-buster bomb components on flights from JFK to Tel Aviv on multiple occasions from March to May 2023. They executed 109 shipments of JDAM kits within a specified period, revealing a significant flow of military resources aimed at reinforcing Israel’s munitions capabilities.
Data indicates that JFK serves as the primary hub for air shipments of military ordnance to Israel, with over half of all air shipments fitting the government’s export category for bombs and missiles originating from this airport.
Legislative Actions on Military Sales
While specific origins of the military shipments remain unclear, it is known that U.S. military hardware to Israel often results from government agreements or commercial purchases made under specific export licenses. A study highlighted that the U.S. committed $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel in the initial two years of its ongoing conflict in Gaza, which included shipments of both the BLU-109 and MK-84 munitions.
Legislation seeking to restrict such military transfers, the “Block the Bombs Act,” has garnered over 80 co-sponsors but has yet to progress through Congress. Representative Delia Ramirez emphasized the importance of federal intervention: “It’s essential for Congress to ensure comprehensive oversight of these arms sales.”
“It’s good that people are putting pressure locally, but ultimately it is Congress’s responsibility to make that happen.”
Despite the local activism to halt arms transfers through JFK, Ramirez noted that meaningful change must come at the congressional level, asserting that a priority on civilian safety needs to inform military support strategies moving forward.
Chief Editor of Quincy City Beat — Quincy, MA's independent investigative newspaper covering Greater Boston and the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts with fearless public accountability and free access for all readers.
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