Kaine Statement on Senate Vote to Block Select Offensive Weapons Transfers to Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement ahead of the Senate's votes on resolutions that would block the transfer of select weapons to Israel:

"When the Senate votes soon, I will vote to block the transfer of bombs and bulldozers to Israel, in keeping with my years-long position on these types of transfers. While I've voted many times to transfer weapons to Israel that are critical to defending Israeli civilians, I've also been firm in my belief that we shouldn't transfer offensive weapons that could be used to harm innocent Palestinian, Lebanese, and Iranian civilians. I'm concerned that the transfer of these weapons would further inflame the violent conflict that has been ignited across the region, leading to even more instability and risk to U.S. servicemembers and civilians. The only path to ensuring the long-term security of Americans, Israelis, Palestinians, and our allies is for Israel to stop its bombing campaign in Lebanon and for us to push to deescalate the current crisis and establish a durable ceasefire."

Specifically, the resolutions would block the transfer of 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose 1,000-pound bombs and D9R and D9T Caterpillar bulldozers. It has been reported that Israel has used these bombs in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel has also used bulldozers to demolish homes in Gaza and the West Bank, displacing Palestinians, and is threatening to do the same in southern Lebanon.

Kaine has repeatedly reiterated his support for Israel's right to defend itself. Following Hamas' October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, he helped pass a national security supplemental funding package that included over $14 billion in security assistance for Israel. Kaine has also raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called for the protection of civilians in the region. In February 2024, following reports of an impending major weapons transfer from the U.S. to Israel, Kaine urged the Biden Administration to ensure that the transfer would primarily consist of defensive weapons, such as interceptors used in the Iron Dome and David's Sling air defense systems. Kaine has continued to push to ensure all U.S. security assistance is used in line with international law and subject to robust reporting requirements.

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