WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim released the following statement regarding his vote for two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, S.J.Res. 26 and S.J.Res. 33: 

“It has been over 540 days since Hamas brutally attacked Israel; an attack that we must work to ensure can never be replicated. To that end, the priority must be the safe return of hostages, including Edan Alexander, through a diplomatic agreement that also leads to a durable peace to end the suffering that doesn’t leave Hamas in charge of Gaza.  

“Today, the Senate voted on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, which would stop a portion of potential arms sales of offensives weapons from the United States to Israel. I will continue to stand with Israel and the Israeli people. I voted for these Joint Resolutions because while I support providing tools critical for Israel’s defense, I do not believe that these systems, which include those that can level entire city blocks and that have been used in incidents with disproportionate civilian casualties, achieve the primary objectives I’ve outlined. In fact, their use will make it harder. 

“I have long supported systems like Iron Dome and David’s Sling that protect scores of Israelis from terrorist groups and other common adversaries like Iran and Iranian proxies. The threat in particular from Iran is real and existential, and systems to stop drone and ballistic missile attacks are vital. Israel needs these tools and others that ensure it retains its Qualitative Military Edge because it is surrounded by actors who seek its demise, and that the history of the State of Israel is one founded on the assurance of continued existence. 

“I also recognize that beyond supplying essential weapons systems to Israel, the most important thing we can do is work to avoid making the mistakes of the past and focus on objectives that break the cycle of violence once and for all. When I was in Israel a few weeks ago, I urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to do everything possible to keep the diplomatic talks going and get the hostages out. 

“His decision to resume military strikes and operations is not the path to take. There has been too much tragic loss of civilian life, including family members of New Jerseyans who grieve constantly and continue to be filled with deep worry about those still in Gaza. And as I said before that hostages should never be used as leverage for negotiations, neither should humanitarian aid to civilians. Netanyahu’s decision to block all international aid from entering Gaza is wrong. Hamas’ brutality to the Israeli people and their negligence to the Palestinian people does not give reason for others to act without regard to the humanity of civilians. It is critical that aid be allowed to flow into Gaza again immediately, and I’m concerned that the Trump Administration is taking no steps toward that end. In fact, President Trump has made matters worse by proposing a reckless plan of America “owning” Gaza and building seaside resorts, fanning the flames of the most extreme elements in Israel toward a path that would lead to an even more dangerous environment for the Israeli and Palestinian people.  President Trump has also abandoned frameworks to put safeguards around how weapons like these can be used, and has attempted to bypass Congress in order to provide these systems.   

“This conflict, the future of the Israeli and Palestinian people, and the region as a whole is at a critical moment. Around seventy percent of the Israeli people want a return to a ceasefire and the return of all hostages, and America should stand with them. But the Israeli government is going the opposite direction with no viable exit strategy or plan for post-war Gaza other than support Trump’s reckless plan. And getting bogged down with prolonged conflict in Gaza will pull resources away from securing Israel from its greatest threat — Iran — at this critical moment. There is a generational opportunity to isolate Iran from Lebanon, Syria, and the greater region, and Israel must prioritize this chance to normalize relations and build a coalition against Iran, which will be even more difficult if the violence in Gaza continues. 

“We should work closely with our diplomatic partners to press Hamas to return to a ceasefire, with our Israeli partners to expand normalization, and with regional partners on a political solution that replaces Hamas as the governing entity of Gaza. We should build out larger frameworks to further isolate Iran and minimize its risk to the region.  

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the United States Senate and engaging diplomatically with our Israeli and Arab partners to bring the hostages home, to end the conflict, and build a durable peace that the children of the region can truly enjoy so that the horrors of October 7^th never happen again.” 

###