—Pope Leo XIV, Twitter tweet, 10 April 2026

Tell senators to block weapon sales to Israel

The Trump administration has invoked “emergency” authority to advance more weapons sales to Israel, seeking to bypass Congressional review. Israel has continued bombing Gaza since October 2023 despite several ceasefire agreements, is currently engaged in open war against Iran, and in Lebanon, has killed hundreds of civilians since the fragile ceasefire with Iran began last week. In large part, Israel’s aggression is enabled by the United States, not only by coordination of attacks by both countries but also through the continued sales of numerous weapons to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). The sales of these weapons are in violation of U.S. and international law due to the well-documented use of these weapons by Israel in ways that violate the human rights of Palestinians and other civilians throughout the region.

Senator Bernie Sanders plans to bring to the Senate floor two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) the week of April 13 to block certain weapons sales to Israel: S.J.Res.138, which would block the sale of 1,000-pound bombs, and S.J.Res. 32, which would block the sale of Caterpillar bulldozers. Bulldozers, not inherently defined as weapons, have been weaponized by the IDF in the illegal demolition of Palestinian homes, particularly in the West Bank, and could be used in their attempt to create an empty “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon. Any restriction on the sale of weapons to Israel would not only actively limit their ability to wage war as they have been doing, but it would also send a message that their most unshakeable ally is wavering in support for their military actions.

Please use the draft email in the grey box at right (below on mobile devices) to urge your senators to vote YES on Senator Sanders’s JRDs when they come to the floor.

Note: Churches for a Middle East Peace, along with Pax Christi USA and others, are hosting a Joint Christian Advocacy Summit from May 5–7 in Washington D.C., focused on Palestine and Israel. See conference and advocacy day information here. If you plan to come to D.C., let the Mercy Justice Team know by emailing justice@sistersofmercy.org.