United Airlines to Resume Military Cargo Flights to Israel Amid Regional Tensions

United Airlines is set to resume the transportation of military hardware to Israel aboard passenger flights following a six-month hiatus due to regional conflicts. According to shipping data reviewed by The Intercept, the airline will transport five shipments of military cargo on its flight 90 from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey to Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday evening.

The shipments are destined for various facilities of Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense contractor known for manufacturing advanced military technology. One shipment is scheduled for delivery to Elbit's "electro-optics" division in Rehovot, another to its Land Division in Ramat Hasharon, and three more to a facility in Karmiel. At least one of the shipments to Karmiel was specifically labeled as "FMS," or foreign military sales.

The resumption of this practice marks a return to United Airlines' previous routine, which involved transporting thousands of loads of military materiel to Israel during periods of heightened conflict with neighboring countries such as Gaza and Lebanon. According to a recent report by Movement Research Unit, Palestinian Youth Movement, People’s Embargo for Palestine, and the Democratic Socialists of America, United transported nearly 3,000 shipments of military cargo over a seven-month period in 2025 and early 2026. The cargo included critical components for fighter jets, tanks, helmet displays, electronics, and other essential parts.

Griffin Mahon, co-chair of the national labor committee of the Democratic Socialists of America, emphasized the significance of these shipments: "United, consistently and on a regular basis, ships military materiel that is used by the Israeli military in its operations across various fronts." He added, "These parts are shipped on civilian passenger flights, representing one way American companies enable the Israeli government's war efforts."

The resumption of such cargo transport amid ongoing regional tensions highlights the complex interplay between commercial aviation and geopolitical dynamics. Critics argue that this practice not only supports military operations but also potentially violates international norms regarding the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

United Airlines declined to comment on the specific shipments or the broader implications, while representatives from Elbit Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense did not respond to requests for information. The resumption of these flights underscores the ongoing debate over corporate responsibility in conflict zones and raises questions about the ethical considerations involved when commercial entities facilitate military logistics.

The report's findings add another layer to the discourse on arms trade and its role in sustaining conflicts, particularly as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East. As United Airlines resumes this controversial practice, stakeholders from various sectors are likely to scrutinize the airline's actions more closely than ever before.