Senator Coons Statement on Joint Resolutions of Disapproval

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after voting against the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval of American weapons sales to Israel:

"Earlier today I voted to end President Trump's war of choice with Iran that has plunged the Middle East into chaos. Unfortunately, Republicans have decided to continue that war, and so we must keep contending with an Iranian regime that has been attacking us and our partners around the world.

"In the face of those circumstances, I voted not to abandon our steadfast ally, Israel, and the Americans who live within its borders. My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship.

"In recent months, I have found myself having to say to close allies: please keep believing in the United States as a democracy, as an ally, and as a nation fundamentally committed to common values, despite being led by a president who constantly undermines those things. So, too, we must continue to believe in the Israeli people and in Israel as a democracy and an ally dedicated to core shared values, despite the actions of its current government.

"The Netanyahu government is the most right-wing government in Israeli history. Recent statements and actions by the government, and especially by former and current cabinet members Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, profoundly threaten our shared values and support. Those statements and actions have eroded Israel's peace and security by advocating for the annexation of the West Bank, supporting settler violence, and promoting the expansion of illegal settlements. They caused international outrage by delaying and repeatedly breaking the ceasefire in Gaza and impermissibly using hunger as a weapon against Gaza's civilians. They continue to undermine a positive vision for peace in Israel and the Middle East through their efforts to occupy increasingly large portions of southern Lebanon.

"Since its founding, Israel has been under siege from all sides. It faces long-running threats from Iran and its proxies who continue to attack Israel and seek its destruction. In the face of those threats - which we saw acutely during the heinous attack on October 7, 2023 - we cannot abandon Israeli civilians, the US-Israel relationship, or our role as a steadfast partner in the pursuit of peace and security. I will continue to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and am alarmed by actions from the Trump administration and the Netanyahu government to slow or prevent a path to peace regionally. That regional peace and stability is how we keep Americans - and our allies across the globe - safe."