WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement after voting against sending taxpayer dollars to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bombing campaign in Gaza:
“I cannot, in good faith, send more U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund Prime Minister Netanyahu’s relentless bombing campaign in Gaza.
“As I made clear when I called for an indefinite ceasefire, we all want Hamas gone—they are vicious terrorists. Hamas’ attack on Israel was brutal and cruel. Israel has every right to go after those responsible.
“But this war plan, which has decimated Gaza through relentless, indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, has created an intolerable humanitarian crisis. Nearly 30,000 Palestinians have died, including an estimated 19,000 women and children. Two million are displaced and at risk of starvation and disease. The fact that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields does not give Israel license to lay waste to Gaza and kill thousands of innocent people who had nothing to do with the October 7th attack.
“I have always supported the free, secure, and democratic State of Israel. I still do. The Netanyahu government’s destruction of Gaza won’t make Israel more secure or more free. To the contrary, it is eroding what progress Israel has made in strengthening ties with its Arab neighbors, emboldened anti-Israel extremists, and damaged Israel’s reputation around the world.
“The National Security Supplemental also included provisions to address other U.S. national security priorities, including bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russia’s brutal invasion. I unequivocally support Ukraine. I regret that the funding for Ukraine was packaged with the military aid for Israel, which I oppose.”
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