Friends,
Last night saw a groundbreaking and, in many ways, unprecedented debate in the Senate over the Netanyahu government’s conduct of the war in Gaza, its disrespect of American laws and the Biden Administration’s approach.
I wanted to make sure you saw the full response from J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami following the vote. As you well know, J Street played a leading role in advocating for senators to send a pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy message with a vote of disapproval.
From Jeremy's statement last night:
A significant number of US Senators voted today to send a clear message of disapproval of the Netanyahu government’s conduct of the war in Gaza and its brazen dismissal of the Biden Administration’s requests and concerns over many months.
More than a third of the Democrats in the Senate chose to cast a symbolic but deeply meaningful vote of disapproval of some limited offensive weapons transfers to Israel. Those Senators spoke today for a large and growing portion of the American public that would like to see the United States shift away from ‘blank check’ support for Israel toward a relationship shaped by our laws, interests and values. A recent poll of Jewish American voters found that 62 percent support withholding certain offensive arms to press for a ceasefire and hostage deal.
This vote marks a milestone in the ongoing evolution of the US-Israel relationship. This debate and vote signify another step toward a relationship in which the US can hold Israel accountable for its actions and its use of the weapons we provide in the same way we enforce US laws for all other recipients of US security assistance. It is also a marker of growing support in the political arena for using the leverage we do have to impact the Israeli government’s actions and policies and as an incentive toward a path we believe leads to Israel’s long-term security and regional peace.
J Street shares with all the Senators who voted for these resolutions a deep concern both for the future and security of the State of Israel and for the future and security of the Palestinian people. Contrary to opponents’ claims regarding today’s vote, US support for Israel’s security was never at risk. All of the Senators who voted for a resolution of disapproval today have supported tens of billions of dollars in security assistance to Israel throughout their careers. No Senators are calling for anything approaching an arms embargo, and all of them endorse continued support for Iron Dome and other defensive systems.
What the large number of supporting votes does indicate is growing concern over the direction that the far-right government of Israel is leading the country. It is a manifestation of deep discomfort over the extent of the human tragedy the Israeli government is inflicting on Gaza and the lack of any commitment by the Netanyahu government to a feasible post-conflict plan for governance and security that leads toward a resolution of the underlying political conflict.
Thank you, sincerely, for your ongoing support.
Adina Vogel Ayalon
Vice President and Chief of Staff, J Street
