Welch: “Sending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government the munitions it is using to destroy Gaza is wrong and inconsistent with our foreign policy goals.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement after voting for a second time against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombing campaign in Gaza: 

“I voted against the National Security Supplemental when it was first considered by the Senate in February, and I voted against it tonight. This bill includes billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars for Israel to procure offensive military aid. As I have said countless times, sending Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government the munitions it is using to destroy Gaza is wrong and inconsistent with our foreign policy goals.  

“This bill also includes funding to support Ukraine, Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for the Palestinians and other vulnerable populations. Months of delay in the House of Representatives have left the Ukrainians fighting for their lives with dwindling supplies of ammunition. I repeat unequivocally today: if the funding for Ukraine were put to a separate vote, it would earn my support without hesitation.

“I strongly support any humanitarian aid we can deliver for Palestinians in desperate need right now, but it is shortsighted to demand even a temporary prohibition on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). No other organization has anything like the capacity that UNRWA has to meet the critical needs of the people of Gaza. Two million Palestinians—many of them women and children—lack adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care and are struggling to survive. The number of aid trucks allowed to enter Gaza remains far below what is needed. It is unthinkable that an ally of the U.S. would conduct its military campaign with planes, tanks, bombs, and artillery supplied by the U.S., while impeding access for aid trucks to destitute civilians under its occupation.

“We need to stop financing a war strategy that was deeply flawed from the beginning. Instead of prolonging this catastrophe, I believe we should pursue a consistent policy for the Middle East. A policy grounded in the recognition that the people of Israel will never be secure without upholding the inherent rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. 

“A majority of the Senate has again voted to approve additional military aid for Israel. While I strongly disagree with that decision, it is now incumbent on us to echo President Biden’s and Secretary Blinken’s message to de-escalate in the region, respect international humanitarian law, and reach a diplomatic resolution.” 

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