“The United States cannot be complicit to these atrocities.”
–Sen. Bernie Sanders.
So, US Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval as a way for the US Congress to override the President’s approval of the sale certain offensive weapons of war to Israel.
M. President, from a legal perspective, these resolutions are not complicated. They are cut and dry. The United States government must obey the law. Unfortunately, that is not the case right now, and every member of the Senate who believes in the rule of law should vote for these resolutions.
The Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act are very clear: the United States cannot provide weapons to countries that violate internationally recognized human rights or block U.S. humanitarian aid. Let me repeat that: the United States cannot provide weapons to countries that violate internationally recognized human rights or block U.S. humanitarian aid. That is what the law says.
US Senator Bernie Sanders on the need to pass the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval
Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)
For the first time, the Senate voted on Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block weapons sales to Israel. Introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), these resolutions sought to halt the kinds of offensive weapons the Israeli government has used in its relentless, devastating attacks on Palestinian civilians.
While the outcome of the votes was expected, it was no less painful that these resolutions failed to pass. We are deeply saddened that too many U.S. legislators continue to ignore U.S. law, the will of the public, and the immense suffering of Palestinians inflicted by U.S. weapons.
At the same time, we must recognize the significance of this moment. After 13 months of devastation in Gaza and the destructive escalation across the region, these votes show the growing demand in Congress for a new path to end the conflict.
This momentum is a testament to the pressure created by your persistent advocacy. We are proud that Sen. Sanders cited FCNL as one of the leading organizations supporting this effort, along with a diverse coalition of Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, unions, humanitarian agencies, human rights groups, and faith-based allies.
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As reporter Akbar Shahid Ahmed explained, we were up against enormous pressure from the Biden administration, the Israeli government, and its allies. Yet still, the resolutions garnered unprecedented support. “That’s huge,” Ahmed said. “This is historic and symbolic,” and a “momentous showing.”
As international pressure continues to mount to secure a ceasefire and hold Israeli officials accountable, we will continue to build on this momentum in Congress.
This Week in the World, Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), Nov 22, 2024
In introducing his Joint Resolution of Disapproval to stop the United States from sending certain offensive weapons to Isreal, Sen Bernie Sanders (VT) called out FCNL as of the influential groups lobbying in support of these provisions to end the war.
unflinching 