Memo Details Laws Obligating US to Cut Weapons to Israel A memo circulating among congressional offices highlights five laws and international standards that legally bind the United States to halt the sale or transfer of weapons to Israel, even if the country chooses to fund such purchases independently. The document, issued by the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, has been distributed to all Democratic offices in Congress and is part of a broader effort to pressure lawmakers to adhere to existing legal obligations. The memo comes amid growing political and public scrutiny of U.S. arms sales to Israel, particularly in light of its actions in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Iran. The memo follows a significant development in mid-April when 40 senators voted to block certain arms transfers to Israel, marking the highest number of such votes in congressional history. However, the entire Republican Party and a small group of Democrats blocked the measure, preventing Congress from fulfilling its legal duty to restrict weapons shipments to Israel. This failure to act has intensified calls for lawmakers to prioritize domestic law over geopolitical alliances. One of the failed votes targeted the sale of bulldozers to Israel, which the Israeli government has used to demolish homes in the West Bank as part of its efforts to expand illegally occupied territories. The memo specifically notes that Israeli forces used a bulldozer to kill Rachel Corrie, a 23-year-old American peace activist, in 2003 while she protested against such demolitions. This incident has become a symbol of the broader human rights concerns tied to Israel’s military actions. The memo underscores a dramatic shift in public sentiment toward Israel, particularly among Democratic lawmakers, independents, and even some Republicans.#j_street #congressional_offices #democratic_offices #rep_alicia_ocasio_cortez
