The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, calls on all Americans to thank the U.S. senators who voted in favor of Senator Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs). Also, urge senators who voted against the JRDs to stop funding war crimes and genocide. Sander’s resolutions sought to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel amid its ongoing genocide in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
CAIR also highlighted that the arms sales violate the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), which prohibit U.S. assistance to countries committing severe human rights abuses. Additionally, Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and its indiscriminate attacks on civilians contravene Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, which forbids aid to any nation obstructing U.S. humanitarian efforts.
Over 22,000 community members acted on CAIR’s action alert on the measure.
SEE: Join CAIR: Support Sanders’ Resolution Against Arms Sales to Netanyahu’s Genocide of Palestinians
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of crimes against humanity, including starvation, murder, persecution, and intentionally targeting Gaza’s civilian population. The court alleges they knowingly blocked humanitarian aid, depriving Gazans of essential resources like food, water, and medicine, with no clear military justification.
SEE: Wanted in 124 countries: ICC arrest warrant hems in Netanyahu
Since October, the devastating violence in Gaza and Lebanon has claimed the lives of over 44,000 Palestinians and 3,400 Lebanese civilians, including thousands of children, and injured over 103,000 others. Many estimates place the actual number of those killed at up to over 180,000 Palestinians.
The resolution’s growing support signals a critical step toward aligning U.S. foreign policy with its legal and moral obligations. CAIR urges Americans of all backgrounds to continue holding their elected officials accountable and advocating for policies that promote peace and justice in the region.
Sample Thank You Letter to Senators:
I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for your courageous vote in favor of Senator Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, which sought to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel. Your stand against these sales reflects an unwavering commitment to human rights, justice, and accountability during a time of unprecedented violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
Your vote sends a powerful message that U.S. foreign policy should align with our nation’s legal and moral obligations, particularly the prohibitions outlined in the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act. These laws exist to ensure that U.S. assistance does not enable severe human rights abuses. Since October, the devastating violence in Gaza and Lebanon has claimed the lives of over 44,000 Palestinians and 3,400 Lebanese civilians, including thousands of children, and injured over 103,000 others. Many estimates place the actual number of those killed at up to over 180,000 Palestinians.
I appreciate your courage and leadership in championing human rights and accountability, and I urge you to continue advocating for policies that promote peace, dignity, and justice for all.
Sample Letter for Senators Who Voted Against the JRDs
I am writing to express my profound disappointment in your decision to vote against Senator Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs), which sought to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel. By opposing this measure, you have effectively endorsed continued U.S. complicity in the illegal and inhumane actions being carried out against civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
These arms sales violate the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), which strictly prohibit U.S. assistance to countries committing severe human rights abuses. Furthermore, Israel’s ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza and its indiscriminate targeting of civilians directly contravene Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, which forbids aid to nations obstructing U.S. humanitarian efforts.
Since October, over 44,000 Palestinians and 3,400 Lebanese civilians, including thousands of children, have been killed, and tens of thousands more have been injured. These atrocities, coupled with the intentional starvation and persecution of Gaza’s civilian population, constitute crimes against humanity. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already wanted in 124 countries for such crimes, including murder, targeting civilians, and starvation.
By supporting continued arms sales, the U.S. undermines its legal and moral obligations, perpetuates humanitarian crises, and emboldens those responsible for war crimes. I urge you to reconsider your position and work to end U.S. arms sales to Israel, ensuring that our foreign policy aligns with the principles of justice, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Your constituents and the global community are watching. I hope you will act to promote peace and stand on the right side of history.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com