UE: Vote to Block Offensive Arms to Israel Fails, but “Proves That Movement to End War Is Growing”

WASHINGTON, DC—On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate considered three “joint resolutions of disapproval,” proposed by long-time UE ally Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), which would have blocked U.S. sales of offensive weaponry to the Israeli military. The resolutions, in Sanders’ words, “are aimed at offensive weapons that have been used to devastating effect against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. They would not affect any of the systems Israel uses to defend itself from incoming attacks.”

In his remarks on the floor of the Senate, Sanders told his colleagues that the resolutions are supported by “some of the largest labor unions in the country, including the SEIU, the United Auto Workers, and the United Electrical Workers.” He also pointed out that “poll after poll shows that a strong majority of Americans oppose sending more weapons and military aid to fuel Netanyahu’s war machine.”

Last July, UE joined six other unions, with a combined membership of millions of workers, in sending a letter to President Biden demanding that he immediately cut U.S. military aid to the Israeli government in order “to bring about a peaceful resolution to this conflict.” Prior to the vote, the National Labor Network for Ceasefire, of which UE is a founding member, mobilized unions and union members across the country to send over 600 letters to their Senators demanding a “yes” vote on the resolutions.

While the resolutions failed to pass, Sanders was joined by the other independent in the Senate, Angus King of Maine, along with 17 Democratic senators.

“It’s about time that members of Congress begin standing up to the administration on this issue,” said UE General President Carl Rosen. “We welcome the support of these 19 Senators, but it is a shame that the majority of the Democratic caucus, along with every single Republican Senator, continues to endorse the use of U.S. weapons to slaughter civilians.”

Following the vote, Cavan Kharrazian, Senior Policy Advisor at the advocacy organization Demand Progress, said that “Supporters of this destructive war will try to claim victory but even they know that today’s vote proves that the movement to end the war is growing, across America and in Congress, and we won’t stop.”

Senators from states with UE members who voted in favor of the resolutions are Senators Sanders and Welch (VT), Warren and Markey (MA), Heinrich and Luján (NM), Durbin (IL), Helmy (NJ), Kaine (VA), King (ME), Shaheen (NH), Murphy (CT), Smith (MN), and Van Hollen (MD).