Washington, DC – In response to Representative Sean Casten, along with 25 original cosponsors, introducing the Ceasefire Compliance Act, which places conditions on Israel’s ability to use American arms in Gaza and the West Bank, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“We welcome Representative Casten’s introduction of the Ceasefire Compliance Act (CCA), which reflects a simple common-sense principle: American weapons cannot be used by the Israeli government in Gaza and the West Bank in ways that fundamentally violate American values and directly contravene US interests.
The bill requires Israel to uphold the commitments it has made to the United States and the international community in Gaza and the West Bank – or forgo the use of American arms there. In doing so, the CCA checks the most dangerous impulses of Israel’s far-right government, enforces the ceasefire in Gaza – which both the Israeli government and Hamas are violating regularly – and lays the groundwork for a comprehensive regional agreement that establishes a Palestinian state alongside Israel and ensures Israel’s long-term security.
The ceasefire plan signed last year offers a path to lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Hamas disarmed, Gaza rebuilt under responsible Palestinian leadership and an end to the cycle of death and destruction. This progress is most endangered by extremists on both sides who prefer renewed war in service of their maximalist agendas.
The Israeli government’s escalating land grabs and permissive approach to extremist settler violence in the West Bank further undermine the ceasefire. They also pose a grave threat to Israel’s future as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people and to the possibility of Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security.
The CCA addresses these threats and sends Netanyahu, Smotrich and their allies a clear message: US weapons cannot be used to perpetuate the ongoing hostilities in Gaza or advance annexation in the West Bank.
Acknowledging the threats Israel faces in the region, including from Iran and its proxies, the bill ensures Israel can still procure necessary missile defense capabilities as well as other weapons to defend itself.
We applaud Representative Casten and the 25 original co-sponsors for their leadership and urge their colleagues to support this legislation.”