J Street’s position on security assistance to Israel recognizes the seriousness of the security threats Israel faces and the importance of US assistance in addressing those threats. We consistently support security assistance to Israel and oppose calls for a broader arms embargo.
We believe the arms we provide must be used in accordance with US and international law. When they are not, we support withholding certain shipments of offensive weapons – a standard that should apply to all countries receiving American security assistance, including Israel.
With regard to one of the sales in question under the resolutions considered by the Senate today, J Street opposes the Trump administration’s circumvention of Congressional review to make an emergency sale of almost 40,000 2,000-pound bombs to the Netanyahu government given the recent history of their use in dense urban environments and the catastrophic civilian toll they have taken in Gaza over the past 18 months.
We understand why, when faced with the need to vote on symbolic Joint Resolutions of Disapproval that won’t impact the delivery of the sales and provide little room for nuance on a complex question, some Senators will decide to vote yes and others to vote no.
Though Senators may differ on this particular vote, we believe the majority of at least the Democratic caucus does share in a broad consensus around supporting the Israeli and Palestinian people, their security and their rights, and around concerns with the way this war has been conducted.
We call on opponents of the Netanyahu government’s extremist policies to unify around a series of core principles that are supported by the overwhelming majority of American Jews:
- An immediate return to a ceasefire and a strategy that prioritizes getting the hostages out and ending the war instead of prolonging the conflict. Through diplomacy, the United States – in close coordination with Egypt and Qatar – has successfully obtained the release of more than 140 hostages, while military operations have only resulted in the rescue of eight hostages and have put the fate of the hostages remaining in captivity at risk. Moreover, 70% of the Israeli public and the hostage families support this strategy.
- Ending the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and ensuring that the necessary humanitarian assistance enters the Strip. We strongly oppose Trump’s overall provision of a blank check to the Netanyahu government, especially the Trump-Netanyahu policy of preventing all humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza and reigniting the war. We are deeply concerned about reports that the Netanyahu government may be pursuing a new plan to reoccupy Gaza, which will trigger the displacement and tremendous suffering of Palestinian families.
- The imperative of ending Hamas’ rule in Gaza, which is only possible through a viable plan for the aftermath, not through Israeli reoccupation of the Strip. Such a plan must include close cooperation with Arab partners to develop an interim security force and eventual handover to Palestinian security forces. It also means working on an agreement on interim government structure that does not include Hamas. But none of that is possible if Prime Minister Netanyahu refuses to negotiate on Phase II of the ceasefire.
- Pursuing a comprehensive regional peace and security plan that brings the eventual integration of Israel into the Middle East and the creation of a Palestinian state. This vision is only possible if the war in Gaza ends. We support working with Arab states on a plan for post-conflict Gaza with major investments from our Middle Eastern partners. We strongly oppose the Trump administration’s alternative vision, which would see the displacement of millions of Palestinians from Gaza and potential annexation of the West Bank, making regional peace impossible.
