WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) issued the following statement after voting against two joint Resolutions of Disapproval over U.S. arms sales to Israel:
“This week, I joined a statement by 44 Senate Democrats that forcefully called on the Trump administration to compel Prime Minister Netanyahu to provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and to negotiate a ceasefire that would bring home the hostages held by Hamas and end the conflict in Gaza. Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, and it continues to hold hostages and to conduct attacks against Israel. I will always stand for Israel’s right to self-defense and for clarity that Hamas started and has sustained this conflict at enormous human cost. The Netanyahu government has also sharply limited humanitarian aid, causing widespread hunger and suffering. It has only recently restarted access for food and water to avert starvation in Gaza. It’s critical that Israel urgently continue to expand its efforts to facilitate relief and that trusted aid partners like UNICEF, World Central Kitchen, and the World Food Program be allowed full access to feed and care for Palestinian civilians.
“It’s important that our caucus speak with a united voice in order to be effective. These resolutions do not bring us closer to their stated goals. Instead, they renege on our promise of support to our ally Israel and risk a fragile but expanding aid apparatus. I remain committed to finding a lasting peace in the region. Now, more than ever, we must push all parties to agree to a ceasefire and hostage release and begin on the road to rebuilding and reconciliation.”