Breaking News: Progressive Legislators to Introduce Resolution Blocking Bomb Sale to Israel
AMIDST ISRAEL’S DEVASTATING ASSAULT ON GAZA, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Wisconsin Congressman Mark Pocan, and Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib are preparing to introduce a resolution that would block the United States’ planned $735 million sale of bombs to Israel, according to an early draft of the legislation obtained by
Jewish Currents.
The resolution would halt the planned transfer of so-called JDAMs, or Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and of Small Diameter Bombs, both of which are bombs outfitted with special guidance systems to hit their intended targets. Both types of explosive are made by the Chicago-based weapons manufacturer Boeing. Israel has used JDAMs and Small Diameter Bombs in its current attack on Gaza, according to
AOC, Tlaib introduce resolution to halt weapons sale to Israel Christopher Wilson
Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., announced Wednesday that they are introducing a House resolution to block an arms sale to Israel amid continued violence in the region.
After the Washington Post reported that the Biden administration had approved a $735 million arms deal on Monday, there were multiple reports that Democratic members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee planned to send a letter to the administration requesting a delay in the sale. But on Tuesday, Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said there would be no such request.
May 19, 2021 Share
WASHINGTON Republicans trying to drive a wedge between Democrats and chip away at President Joe Biden’s support are zeroing in on the violence in the Middle East, laying blame on his administration and aiming to make his liberal critics the face of the party heading into the midterm elections.
GOP Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Tom Cotton of Arkansas, both potential White House hopefuls in 2024, have focused in particular on Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other progressives for criticizing Israel amid an escalating volley of missiles and airstrikes in Hamas-controlled Gaza that has killed hundreds of civilians over the last week.
Jewish Ledger
Meeks drops plan to ask for weapons transfer delay, promises greater oversight
By Ron Kampeas
(JTA) Gregory Meeks, the chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, decided not to send a letter to the Biden administration asking for a delay in the transfer of missiles to Israel.
Meeks, a New York Democrat who just months ago pledged to leave sacrosanct defense assistance to Israel, promised greater oversight of arms sales, including to Israel going forward, a sea change in how
Democrats relate to Israel.
Meeks convened the committee in a private session Monday night to consider asking for a delay in light of the war raging between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A number of Democrats in Congress have called for an immediate ceasefire and for greater Israeli restraint.