WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) to introduce a resolution approving two arms sales to Israel. The Biden Administration notified Congress of these sales on May 5, and Democrats quickly voiced their disapproval of arms support for Israel—even as the country defended itself against Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist attacks. In addition to Hagerty, co-sponsors of this resolution include Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Barrasso (R-WY), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Marco Rubio (R-FL).
“At a time when Israel, a fellow democracy and our most important ally in the Middle East, has endured thousands of rocket attacks from Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorists in Gaza, I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution approving arms sales to strengthen Israel’s self-defense capabilities. As a former U.S. ambassador, I appreciate how important it is for allies to know that U.S. policymakers and lawmakers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them when they and their citizens face grave threats to their security and safety,” said Senator Hagerty.
“Our Israeli allies have just completed another round of fighting against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists who fired over 4,000 rockets into Israel. Israel has the solemn obligation to defend its citizens, and the United States has a duty to continue to support and bolster them as they do so. Sadly, Democrats in both the House and the Senate are choosing to pacify their anti-Israel base by opposing this critical support. I call on my Democrat colleagues to choose a side and support this commonsense resolution voicing Congressional approval for these two sales,” said Senator Cruz.
“The United States has remained a reliable partner for our strongest ally in the Middle East for decades. Through critical arms sales, multiple administrations have supported Israel’s self-defense from terror groups attempting to dismantle Israeli sovereignty and leadership. This resolution will maintain this legacy and ensure our continued support of our allies,” said Senator Blackburn.
“Israel is one of America’s strongest allies and has every right to defend itself and its people. Israel can’t afford to wait while Congressional Democrats continue to play political games with its national security. Our resolution approves these critical arms sales and ensures Israel has the resources it needs to fight against any and all terrorist threats,” said Senator Barrasso.
“While leftist Democrats in Congress try to block weapons Israel needs to defend itself, the Biden administration is busy empowering Hamas’ weapons supplier, Iran – the largest state sponsor of terrorism. Now, more than ever, the United States must stand unequivocally in support of our closest ally in the Middle East and reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel and its right to protect its citizens,” said Senator Johnson.
“The United States must ensure Israel continues to have the resources it needs to protect Israeli citizens and to defeat its terrorist enemies. Democrats’ anti-Israel rhetoric and attempts to block an arms sale to Israel are unconscionable,” said Senator Cotton.
Read the full resolution here.
Last week, Senator Hagerty, joined by Senators Cruz, Cotton, and Rubio, introduced a bill calling for President Biden to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome missiles. Hagerty also joined 43 of his colleagues to send a letter to President Biden urging him to stand with Israel and stop negotiating potential sanctions relief for Iran.