Israel & Palestine

“This is an example of the administration folding their hand. They were called out on their bluff of Rafah and now they’re relenting.”

“[If the delay to the JDAMs is deliberate, it] would be the first instance since this war began where the administration took such an action on weapons we know have been used in Gaza.”

“It is long past time for the United States to use its leverage and uphold U.S. law to end Israel’s indiscriminate bombardment of Gaza and have this war come to an end,” said Seth Binder, director of advocacy at the Middle East Democracy Center, a coalition member. “The humanitarian catastrophe that millions of Palestinians are suffering through and its seismic moral and strategic consequences should compel members of Congress to do everything in its power to secure a cessation of hostilities.”

“But a coalition of 17 arms control and human rights groups, led by the Center for Civilians in Conflict and the Middle East Democracy Center, sent a letter to lawmakers last week arguing the bill cedes congressional oversight authority by hindering lawmakers’ ability to place holds on sales over human rights concerns.”

“The Biden administration has been urging the Israeli government to allow for humanitarian pauses, but this sale and other similar military assistance being rushed to Israel completely undermines that effort. . . . The administration may be asking for pauses but its actions say it is supporting the bombing campaign.”