NP Joins Civil Society Organizations to halt $2.8 billion arms transfer to Israel
Dear Members of Congress,
We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to publicly oppose the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion arms transfer to Israel. If it is formally notified to Congress, we urge you to swiftly advance a joint resolution of disapproval to block the transfer.
Earlier this month, Congress was informally notified that the Trump administration planned to deliver forty thousand 2,000-lb. general purpose bombs (including 20,000 MK-84 bombs and 20,000 BLU-117 bombs) and twenty thousand 2,000-lb. I-2000 penetrator warheads (so-called “bunker buster” bombs) to the Israeli government. The Israeli government has used these bombs to devastating effect in the occupied Gaza Strip and Lebanon. Recognizing this, ranking members of the foreign affairs committees have placed holds on the transfers. Earlier this year, the Trump administration abused emergency authorities to bypass congressional review for a separate arms transfer package, blowing past an established committee hold.
These continued arms transfers to the Israeli government are in violation of international law and US law, which includes restrictions on arms transfers to countries engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights or that restrict the delivery of US humanitarian assistance. Should the Trump administration proceed with a formal notification of these proposed transfers, Congress will have 15 days under the Arms Export Control Act to enact a Joint Resolution of Disapproval (JRD) to block the sale.
In Gaza, investigations identified hundreds of massive craters caused by Israeli use of 2,000-lb. bombs in populated areas, including areas designated “safe” for civilians. In May 2024, the Biden administration paused the delivery of 2,000-lb. bombs to Israel over concerns about mass civilian casualties, a decision the Trump administration later reversed. Israeli military actions in Gaza have resulted in the killing of over 73,000 Palestinians, the injury of more than 174,000, and the decimation of Gaza’s hospitals, schools, critical infrastructure, and residential housing, including in apparent war crimes and crimes against humanity. A UN Commission of Inquiry and leading human rights and humanitarian organizations have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Nearly one year into the so-called “ceasefire,” Israeli attacks against civilians and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid continue.
In Lebanon, Israel has used 2,000-lb. bombs in populated areas including the densely populated city of Beirut, killing scores of civilians. Israeli military actions in Lebanon have resulted in the killing of nearly 9,000 people and the injury of over 30,000, including healthcare workers and journalists. They have also destroyed critical infrastructure; and displaced over a million people. According to human rights organizations, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have included apparent violations of international humanitarian law, including war crimes.
Beyond fueling further catastrophic harm, proceeding with this sale would also send a signal of US support for Israeli abuses and civilian harm across Iran, Lebanon, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, and Yemen.
We urge you to make clear your opposition to this proposed sale, support the foreign affairs committees’ current holds on the transfers, and swiftly enact a JRD to block the sale when formally notified. Failing to do so would amount to a blank check for further catastrophic harm and human rights violations.
Signed,
About Face: Veterans Against the War
The Alliance for Diplomacy and Justice
American Committee for Middle East Rights (ACMER)
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Amnesty International USA
A New Policy
Arms Control Association
Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security
Christians for a Free Palestine, Catholic Caucus
Church of the Brethren, Office of Peacebuilding and Policy
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)
Center for Constitutional Rights
Center for International Policy Advocacy
Defending Rights & Dissent
Center for Jewish Nonviolence
Center for Victims of Torture
CommonDefense.us
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Demand Progress
Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)
The Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Human Rights First
Human Rights Watch
IfNotNow Movement
Institute for Policy Studies – New Internationalism Project
Jewish Voice for Peace
Just Foreign Policy
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
IMEU Policy Project
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Middle East Children’s Alliance
Minnesota Peace Project
MPower Change Action Fund
Nonviolent Peaceforce
The Oakland Institute
Oxfam America
Palestine Justice Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Pax Christi USA
Peace Action
Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Public Witness
Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
ReThinking Foreign Policy
RootsAction
Saferworld
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team
SolidarityINFOService
The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)
United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR)
United for Peace and Justice
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action
West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions
Win Without War
Women for Weapons Trade Transparency