Senator Murray Votes Yes on Arms Sale Resolutions, Condemns Netanyahu Government

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement on her vote in favor of two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRD) sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) that would block the sale of certain weapons to Israel:

"As a longtime friend to Israel, I have always believed that our close allies should exercise restraint in war and always prioritize humanitarian relief for innocent civilian populations-clearly that is not what we have seen over the last several years with our own eyes. After the October 7^th terrorist attack by Hamas, I strongly affirmed Israel's right to defend itself, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has gone far beyond self-defense and any kind of proportionate response. In Gaza, we saw the Netanyahu government impose a man-made famine, bomb indiscriminately, and prolong human suffering in a war that was extended to help ensure Benjamin Netanyahu could stay in power. In the West Bank, we've seen increased aggression and hostility and outright illegal violence committed by Israeli settlers, often with the explicit backing of the Netanyahu government. In Lebanon, we have seen hundreds of civilian casualties and more than one million Lebanese civilians displaced from their homes-that is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe. The strategy of the Netanyahu government runs so deeply counter to America's values.

"This legislation while imperfect, helps send an important message, a growing number of American leaders, including myself, will not tolerate a reckless disregard for human life and human rights. Maybe President Trump doesn't care about the destruction Netanyahu has inflicted on the Middle East, but I do-so I am registering that opposition with my vote and my voice. Netanyahu cannot continue on this path-razing the entire Middle East to the ground is not a path to peace for anyone. I continue to believe there must be a two-state solution and that diplomacy must be the first path any nation pursues to resolve disagreements. A permanent and lasting peace in the region will only come when all sides turn to diplomacy first."

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