Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff released the following statement.
“Tonight I voted in favor of discharging from the Foreign Relations Committee S. Res. 41, a resolution of disapproval with respect to a sale of rifles to Israel. I do not believe the United States Senate should acquiesce without objection to the extreme mass deprivation of civilians in Gaza, including the intolerable starvation of children, that have resulted from the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Furthermore, these weapons would likely have been allocated to police forces under the control of Itamar Ben-Gvir.
“I voted against discharging S. Res. 34, a similar resolution with respect to a sale of air-to-ground munitions. Despite my opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s conduct of the war in Gaza, I believe the United States must continue to support the Israeli people, who face the persistent threat of rocket and missile attack and have been subjected to intense aerial bombardment from Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen. Israel’s capacity to strike those who would launch missiles and rockets at Israeli civilians depends upon the deterrence provided by the Israeli Air Force.
“Hamas, a despicable terrorist organization, started this horrific round of conflict with the brutal massacre of October 7th, 2023. Their abhorrent tactics, their refusal to release hostages, and their refusal to lay down their arms continue to deepen and prolong civilian suffering in Gaza. The surviving hostages seized in that attack continue to suffer in captivity. It is imperative that the Trump Administration apply the full weight of the U.S. government to facilitate a ceasefire that secures their release, ends Hamas rule in Gaza, and ends this terrible war.
“It is urgent that the United States support a massive infusion of resources to alleviate the extreme humanitarian and hunger crisis that has resulted from a year and a half of continuous high-intensity warfare in the Gaza Strip.”
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