Sen. Cruz Leads Resolution in Support of Israeli Arms Sales

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, this week introduced a resolution approving two arms sales to Israel. The Biden administration notified Congress of these sales on May 5, and Democrats quickly voiced their disapproval of arms support for Israel - even as the country defended itself against Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist attacks. Co-sponsors of this resolution include Sens. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:

"Our Israeli allies have just completed another round of fighting against Iran-backed Hamas terrorists who fired over 4,000 rockets into Israel. Israel has the solemn obligation to defend its citizens, and the United States has a duty to continue to support and bolster them as they do so. Sadly, Democrats in both the House and the Senate are choosing to pacify their anti-Israel base by opposing this critical support. I call on my Democrat colleagues to choose a side and support this commonsense resolution voicing Congressional approval for these two sales."

Sen. Hagerty said:

"At a time when Israel, a fellow democracy and our most important ally in the Middle East, has endured thousands of rocket attacks from Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorists in Gaza, I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution approving arms sales to strengthen Israel's self-defense capabilities. As a former U.S. ambassador, I appreciate how important it is for allies to know that U.S. policymakers and lawmakers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them when they and their citizens face grave threats to their security and safety."

Sen. Blackburn said:

"The United States has remained a reliable partner for our strongest ally in the Middle East for decades. Through critical arms sales, multiple administrations have supported Israel's self-defense from terror groups attempting to dismantle Israeli sovereignty and leadership. This resolution will maintain this legacy and ensure our continued support of our allies."

Sen. Barrasso said:

"Israel is one of America's strongest allies and has every right to defend itself and its people. Israel can't afford to wait while Congressional Democrats continue to play political games with its national security. Our resolution approves these critical arms sales and ensures Israel has the resources it needs to fight against any and all terrorist threats."

Sen. Johnson said:

"While leftist Democrats in Congress try to block weapons Israel needs to defend itself, the Biden administration is busy empowering Hamas' weapons supplier, Iran - the largest state sponsor of terrorism. Now, more than ever, the United States must stand unequivocally in support of our closest ally in the Middle East and reaffirm the United States' unwavering commitment to Israel and its right to protect its citizens."

Sen. Cotton said:

"The United States must ensure Israel continues to have the resources it needs to protect Israeli citizens and to defeat its terrorist enemies. Democrats' anti-Israel rhetoric and attempts to block an arms sale to Israel are unconscionable."

Sen. Scott added:

"Israel is our partner in every sense of the word and they have every right to defend themselves from terrorists. Unfortunately, we are seeing the Democrats continue to push an anti-Israel agenda, including trying to block arms sales. We cannot accept this. The strength and security of one of our strongest allies, and the only democracy in the Middle East, should never be a partisan issue. I will never stop fighting to support Israel and will block any attempt by the Democrats to cut funding."

Read Sen. Cruz's full resolution here.

WATCH: Sen. Cruz: President Biden Must Stand With Israel and Replenish the Iron Dome

Last week, Sen. Cruz joined Sens. Hagerty, Cotton, and Rubio on a bill calling for President Biden to replenish Israel's Iron Dome missiles, and joined 19 of his colleagues in introducing a resolution to stand with Israel and condemn the attacks by Hamas. Sen. Cruz and 43 of his colleagues also sent a letter to President Biden urging him to stand with Israel and stop negotiating potential sanctions relief for Iran.

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