US senators from NH vote to block arms sales to Israel

Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, New Hampshire’s two U.S. senators, joined most of their Democratic colleagues recently in supporting two bills to block arms sales to Israel.

Republicans were joined by a small number of Democrats last week in defeating measures sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to specifically block the sale of $295 million of armored bulldozers and $151 million in thousand-pound bombs.

But the votes on these measures showed that Democratic support in the Senate for military aid to Israel has waned after more than two years of war.

The fighting began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and led to the kidnap of about 250 others, triggering an overwhelming Israeli response, including an invasion and siege of Gaza and military actions in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Iran.

The U.S. designates Hamas as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon as foreign terrorist organizations.

After the April 15 Senate votes, Shaheen, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The horrific attack on October 7th underscored the very real threats Israel faces, with innocent Israelis and Americans brutally killed and abducted by Hamas,” Shaheen said. “No country should ever have to live with a bloodthirsty terrorist organization on its doorstep.

“However, I have been deeply troubled by the way the Netanyahu government has conducted military operations in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria and Lebanon. Their actions have not only resulted in the deaths of countless thousands of innocent civilians, but they have made Israel less secure.”

Shaheen, who is not seeking reelection this year, added that the war waged by the U.S. and Israel against Iran “has only amplified the dangers posed and inflicted real costs on the American people — with no end in sight.”

Hassan released a statement questioning the war against Iran.

“I evaluate all sales of military equipment on a case-by-case basis. In this case, my assessment is informed by President Trump’s and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reckless decision to go to war, a war that has cost American servicemembers their lives, undermined our national security, and increased costs beyond the breaking point for many American families,” she said.

“To date, the President has failed to provide the American people with a consistent, let alone legitimate, rationale for going to war. He has also failed to meet his constitutional obligation to make his case for war to Congress and get approval for it from the people’s representatives.”

On Feb. 28, Trump laid out the following reasons for joining Israel in attacking Iran:

More from this section

Movies and TV shows casting in Portsmouth

Blocking Iran from having a nuclear bomb.

Preventing it from destabilizing the region with its terrorist proxies.

Destroying its missiles and missile-making industry.

Annihilating its navy.

Creating the conditions for a popular uprising.

The Senate bill to end the sale of armored bulldozers to Israel failed 59-40 and the one to end the sale of bombs failed 63-36.

Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut was one of a small number of Democratic senators who voted against the measures.

“I continue to be critical of this Israeli government’s conduct — but our President is responsible for this reckless and destructive war. Israel is an ally currently under attack. Leaving it vulnerable by rescinding already appropriated arms and equipment is a step I cannot support,” he said in a statement.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, said cutting military aid to Israel would “send the message that the U.S. is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable.”

•••

Rick Green can be reached at 603-352-1234, ext. 1435, or rgreen@keenesentinel.com.

These articles are being shared by partners in the Granite State News Collaborative. Don’t just read this. Share it with one person who doesn’t usually follow local news — that’s how we make an impact. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.