Van Hollen to Back Sanders Measures Against Arms Sales to Israel

Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, urged colleagues in a letter to support the joint resolutions of disapproval, introduced in September by Sanders, an independent from Vermont, with backing from Sens. Peter Welch, Jeff Merkley and Brian Schatz. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed the measures last week, arguing that President Joe Biden’s administration had failed to suspend arms shipments after warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government that supplies could be cut off without serious action to improve conditions in Gaza.

Van Hollen said U.S. assistance should not be a “blank check.” He has supported Israel’s right to defend itself and voted for an April aid package, but argued that recipients of U.S. weapons must comply with American law, allow humanitarian aid into conflict zones and use weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law. He accused Netanyahu’s government of violating those requirements and said Biden had failed to hold it accountable. Van Hollen opposes an arms embargo and supports defensive systems, but has called for pausing offensive weapons until Israel complies with U.S. law and policy.

The resolutions would need to pass both the Senate and the House to reach Biden’s desk. A two-thirds majority in each chamber would be required to override a presidential veto. Sanders cited the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act in a Washington Post article Monday, arguing that U.S. law bars weapons transfers to countries that violate internationally recognized human rights or restrict U.S. humanitarian assistance.

More than 100 organizations support the measures. Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy, called the vote “historic” in comments to Al Jazeera, and urged Congress and the administration to use military aid to press for a cease-fire in Gaza and Lebanon. The death toll in Gaza was nearing 44,000, the article said.