Jewish groups on Wednesday night applauded the Senate's decision to reject a proposal by Sen. Bernie Sanders, R-Vermont, to block arms sales to Israel.
The Senate voted 18-79 against a resolution to block the sale of tank ammunition, 19-78 against a resolution to ban the sale of high-explosive mortar rounds, and 17-80 against a resolution to ban the sale of joint direct attack munitions. Ta. CNN reported.
“AIPAC applauds the U.S. Senate for overwhelmingly rejecting a ban on critical arms sales to the Jewish state that supports Israel and fights to protect its families from Iran and its terrorist proxies,” the pro-Israel group said. Ta. “We applaud the Biden administration for approving these sales and helping ensure Israel has the resources it needs to win.”
AIPAC said the majority of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate “again demonstrated their deep support for America's allies and rejected dangerous efforts by Mr. Sanders and his allies to undermine Israel and undermine the U.S.-Israel relationship.” I did,” he added.
“The Jewish state is on the front lines of the fight against our common enemy. These arms sales will help strengthen our allies, deter further Iranian aggression, and create American jobs,” AIPAC said. “The United States must continue to support the Democratic Alliance as Iran continues to escalate its seven-front war and its proxies hold 101 people hostage, including seven Americans.”
“This dangerous and counterproductive resolution is a betrayal of Israel, our ally in fighting a defensive war,” said Mark Mellman, president and CEO of the Democratic Majority for Israel. That's why a clear and decisive majority of Democratic senators voted to defeat them. ”
“Today, Democrats reaffirmed that the majority of our party stands firmly with the Israeli people and supports Israel's security, especially during this critical time,” he said. “Although the vocal anti-Israel minority within our party often receives significant attention, the majority of Senate Democrats remain steadfast in their support of Israel’s sovereignty and right to self-defense.”
“The deaths of civilians in Gaza and Lebanon are tragic, and the responsibility for those deaths lies directly with Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran,” Melman added. “If they had not deliberately provoked the war on October 7 last year, almost all of those civilians would still be alive.”
“Today marks a dangerous low for anti-Israel Democrats in the U.S. Senate. They are pushing back against the pending return to Israel that has already been approved by Congress,” said Matt Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Federation. “I voted to cancel $20 billion in arms sales.”
Brooks noted that all of the “anti-Israel Democrats” who voted in favor of the resolution were backed by J Street, the Jewish Democratic Council of America, or both, including “self-proclaimed 'Shomer' Chuck Schumer. It is shameful that the government refused to introduce the resolution,” he added. Voting against this anti-Israel measure is a whip. ”
“The American people overwhelmingly support Israel in this battle of good versus evil,” he said. “Senate Democrats would do well to listen.”
