Senator Bernie Sanders urges Congress to end US military aid to Israel

Key Concepts:

• Starvation as a weapon of war
• US military aid to Israel
• Violation of international law (Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act)
• Ceasefire resolution
• Public opinion on aid to Israel
• Offensive arm sales
• Complicity in atrocities

Main Topics and Key Points:

• Condemnation of Starvation: The speaker strongly condemns the use of starvation as a weapon against the Palestinian people, emphasizing that it is not a legitimate military tactic but an effort to destroy a population.
  • "There is no military purpose in starving thousands and thousands of children. Let us be clear. This is not an effort to win a war. This is an effort to destroy a people."
• International Pressure on Israel: Several countries, including France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, are considering recognizing a Palestinian state if Israel does not end the war and allow humanitarian aid.
  • "France and Canada have said that they will recognize a Palestinian state. The United Kingdom has said it will do so as well if Israel does not immediately end this war and surge humanitarian aid."
• UN Resolution: The UN has passed a resolution condemning the use of starvation as a weapon of war and demanding an end to Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid, with 149 countries voting in favor.
  • "And at the UN last month, 149 countries voted for a ceasefire resolution condemning the use of starvation as a weapon of war and demanding an end to Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid."
• American Public Opinion: A recent YouGov poll indicates that only 15% of Americans support increasing military aid to Israel, while 35% support decreasing or stopping it entirely. Among Democrats, only 8% support increasing aid.
  • "Further, Mr. President recent economist Yuggo poll shows that just 15% of the American people support increasing military aid to Israel while 35% support decreasing military aid to Israel or stopping it entirely. Just 8% of Democrats support increasing military aid to Israel."
• US Financial Support for Israel: The United States has provided over $22 billion for Israel's military operations since the war began. Brown University research estimates that the US has paid for 70% of the Gaza war.
  • "The United States has provided more than 22 billion dollars for Israel's military operations since this war began. $22 billion. One estimate based on Brown University research calculates that the United States has paid for 70% of the Gaza war."
• Resolutions of Disapproval: The speaker has introduced two resolutions of disapproval to block offensive arm sales to Israel.
  • SJR res 34: Prohibits the $675 million sale of thousands of 1,000-pound bombs and JDAM guidance kits.
  • SJRES 41: Prohibits the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic rifles and assault rifles.
  • "SJR res 34 would prohibit the US taxpayer financed $675 million sale of thousands of 1,000 pound bombs and many thousands of JDAM guidance kits. and SJRES 41 would prohibit the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic rifles, assault rifles."
• Violation of US Law: The speaker argues that these arm sales violate the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibit selling arms to countries that violate international law by killing civilians and blocking humanitarian aid.
  • "These arm sales clearly violate the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Crim Control Act, which prohibit selling arms to countries that violate international law by killing civilians and blocking humanitarian aid."
• Call to Action: The speaker urges Congress to use its leverage, including billions in arms and military aid, to demand that Israel end the atrocities.
  • "The time is long overdue for Congress to use the leverage we have, tens of billions in arms and military aid to demand that Israel end these atrocities."

Important Examples and Real-World Applications:

• Images of Starving Children: The speaker references the haunting images of desperate children in Gaza begging for food as a key factor influencing American public opinion.
  • "The American people are haunted by the images coming out of Gaza. And these are some of those issu images. These are desperate children with pots in their hands crying, begging for food in order to stay alive."
• Netanyahu Government: The speaker specifically calls out the "racist extremist Netanyahu government" as being responsible for the atrocities.
  • "US taxpayers have spent many, many billions of dollars in support of the racist extremist Netanyahu government. Enough is enough."

Key Arguments and Perspectives:

• Moral Argument: The speaker argues that American taxpayer dollars are being used to support the starvation of children, the bombing of schools, and the killing of civilians.
  • "American taxpayer dollars are being used to starve children, bomb schools, kill civilians, and support the cruelty of Netanyahu and his criminal ministers."
• Legal Argument: The speaker argues that the arm sales to Israel violate US law because Israel is violating international law.
  • "If you want to obey the law, vote for these resolutions."
• Political Argument: The speaker argues that Congress has the power to act and should use its leverage to force Israel to end the slaughter.
  • "And we here in Congress tonight, tonight have the power to act. No more talks, no more great speeches. But tonight, we have the power to act. the power to force Netanyahu and his extremist government to end this slaughter."

Notable Quotes:

• "There is no military purpose in starving thousands and thousands of children. Let us be clear. This is not an effort to win a war. This is an effort to destroy a people."
• "American taxpayer dollars are being used to starve children, bomb schools, kill civilians, and support the cruelty of Netanyahu and his criminal ministers."
• "The time is long overdue for Congress to use the leverage we have, tens of billions in arms and military aid to demand that Israel end these atrocities."

Technical Terms and Concepts:

• JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition): A guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided "smart" bombs.
• Foreign Assistance Act: US law that governs foreign aid programs.
• Arms Export Control Act: US law that regulates the export of military goods and services.

Logical Connections:

The speaker connects the following ideas:

1. The starvation of children in Gaza is a deliberate act, not a byproduct of war.
2. The US is financially supporting this act through military aid to Israel.
3. These actions violate international law and US law.
4. Congress has the power and the responsibility to stop this by blocking arm sales to Israel.
5. American public opinion is turning against unconditional support for Israel.

Data and Statistics:

• 149 countries voted for a UN ceasefire resolution.
• 15% of Americans support increasing military aid to Israel.
• 35% of Americans support decreasing or stopping military aid to Israel.
• 8% of Democrats support increasing military aid to Israel.
• The US has provided over $22 billion for Israel's military operations.
• The US has paid for 70% of the Gaza war.
• $675 million sale of bombs and JDAM kits.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The speaker argues that the US is complicit in the starvation and killing of civilians in Gaza through its financial and military support of Israel. They call on Congress to block arm sales to Israel, arguing that these sales violate US law and that American public opinion is turning against unconditional support for Israel. The speaker emphasizes the moral imperative to end the atrocities and the power of Congress to act.