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New Democratic senators challenge US arms support for Israel
Victories by candidates opposing military aid or offensive weapons sales could sharpen congressional scrutiny of Washington’s Israel policy
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WASHINGTON (MNTV) — Three Democratic candidates who won US Senate seats in the November midterm elections have called for significant restrictions on American military assistance to Israel, including ending military aid altogether or stopping sales of offensive weapons.
Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, Troy Jackson of Maine and James Talarico of Texas are projected winners in races that will send them to the Senate. Their statements during the campaigns show differences in the scope of restrictions they support.
El-Sayed has advocated ending US taxpayer support for Israel’s military. He has also said he opposes funding foreign militaries generally, naming Israel alongside Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
In remarks reported by The Associated Press on Oct. 29, he said US tax revenue should be spent domestically rather than sent abroad to fund military forces.
Jackson has taken a more explicit position on military aid to Israel. During an October debate with Republican Sen. Susan Collins, whom he defeated, he opposed what he described as giving Israel a “blank check” and said he did not want more offensive weapons sent for use against Palestinians.
Earlier in the campaign, Jackson said he would never vote in favor of US taxpayer-funded military aid to Israel.
Talarico, who defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, has called for stopping US sales of offensive weapons to the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
His position does not extend to all military assistance: he supports defensive systems such as Iron Dome and has said US funds should not be used to harm civilians. His campaign has also backed a two-state solution and opposed Israeli settlement expansion.
The candidates’ positions therefore differ in scope. El-Sayed and Jackson have called for ending US military assistance to Israel, while Talarico has advocated restricting offensive weapons sales but maintaining defensive support.
The existing US-Israel military assistance framework is based partly on a 2016 memorandum of understanding covering fiscal years 2019 through 2028.
Under its terms, the United States pledged, subject to congressional appropriations, $38 billion in military assistance: $33 billion in Foreign Military Financing grants and $5 billion for missile-defense programs.
The Congressional Research Service notes that the memorandum is not a legally binding treaty and that Congress retains authority to change annual assistance levels or approve additional funding.
The positions expressed by the three incoming senators do not, by themselves, change existing US assistance or arms-transfer policy.
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