After almost 21 months of Israel’s devastating military campaign against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it extended its war by launching an unprovoked attack against Iran on Friday, June 13, sparking heavy exchange of missiles between the two countries.  In the meantime, dozens of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza while simply trying to access basic nutritional and health-related aid at distribution centers.  True to form, the US vetoed another United Nations Security Council resolution on Wednesday, June 4, supported by all other Security Council member states, that called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.  Diplomatic cover has been augmented by massive US military support for Israel, including upwards of $30 billion in military assistance and arms sales.  With more than 55,000 Palestinians confirmed dead in Gaza, it is long past time for the killing to end.

In Congress, a bill “to provide for a limitation on the transfer of defense articles and defense services to Israel,” also known as the Block the Bombs Act (H.R. 3565) was introduced in May by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, along with Representatives Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, and Mark Pocan.  The bill would prevent Trump Administration from sending some of the worst-offender weapons that Israel has used to carry out atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza. 

This bill represents what most Americans want: to halt the flow of deadly U.S. weapons that are fueling Israel’s violence against Palestinians. Every single member of Congress should join the Block the Bombs Act.

This bill could not come at a more critical moment. The images coming out of Gaza are devastating. The Israeli government is rapidly escalating its violence against Palestinians in Gaza, publicly announcing plans to ethnically cleanse millions, to re-launch a ground invasion, and to flatten any structures left standing. All while intentionally starving 2 million people. On May 20, the UN warned that over 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours because of Israel’s blockade on aid.

As members of Congress attempt to seize to force a halt to the flow of weapons that have enabled this horror, urge your Congressional representative to support this bill.