Historic US Congress Move on Gaza Conflict: Halting Arms Sales to Israel

DID Press: For the first time, Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has backed a bill to halt the transfer of U.S. weapons to Israel amid ongoing violence and crimes in Gaza.

The caucus, one of the largest in Congress with nearly 100 House members, has backed the Block the Bombs Act. The bill would prohibit the shipment of bunker-buster bombs, 2,000-pound bombs, JDAM guidance systems, 120mm tank rounds, and 155mm artillery shells until Israel ceases its human rights violations in Gaza.

“The United States cannot continue to send bombs that we know will be used to commit horrific crimes in Gaza,” said Greg Casar, head of the Progressive Caucus, in a statement.

The bill, introduced by Illinois Representative Delia Ramirez, focuses on the most destructive weapon systems used in Gaza. “The Block the Bombs Act is the first step toward accountability for the killing of children with American weapons, funded by taxpayer dollars. Halting the bombs is the minimum Congress must do in the face of authoritarian leaders carrying out a genocidal campaign,” said Ramirez.

Prior to the CPC’s official support, fifty members of Congress had already signed onto the bill.

In July, a quarter of the U.S. Senate—including half of the Democratic members—voted in an unprecedented move to block arms sales to Israel.