The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff for voting to continue arming Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza. At the same time, CAIR-CA applauded the 27 U.S. Senators who took a historic stand by voting to block offensive weapons shipments to Israel—marking the strongest Senate opposition yet to U.S. complicity in genocide.
The two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), were brought under the Arms Export Control Act:
- S.J.Res.34 would have blocked a $675.7 million weapons deal that includes 1,000-pound MK 83 bombs and more than 5,000 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guidance kits—munitions widely used to destroy homes, hospitals, and refugee shelters in Gaza.
- S.J.Res.41 sought to prevent the transfer of tens of thousands of fully automatic assault rifles to Israeli forces and police, including units under the command of extremist Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which have been linked to escalating settler violence and ethnic cleansing in the occupied West Bank.
While both measures failed, they mark the first time a majority of Senate Democrats supported blocking offensive arms transfers to Israel, reflecting a historic shift in congressional sentiment.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“We commend the 27 Senators who took a principled stand against arming genocide. Their votes reflect a shift toward accountability that aligns with the will of the American people. Senators Padilla and Schiff had a choice—and they chose to side with war crimes and apartheid, despite months of appeals from Californians demanding justice.”
CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo added:
“This vote was about whether the U.S. should continue enabling Israel’s genocide. Senators Padilla and Schiff voted to send bombs and rifles into a slaughter. Their constituents will remember this. We thank the 27 Senators who had the courage to say: Not in our name.”
Over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 143,000 injured in Gaza and the West Bank—most of them women, children, and the elderly. However, this number does not include the tens of thousands who remain unaccounted for under the rubble or who have died from hunger, dehydration, and untreated wounds. U.S.-supplied weapons have been used to target civilians, destroy hospitals and food distribution centers, and contribute to a man-made famine. U.S. and international human rights organizations increasingly agree that Israel’s conduct meets the legal definition of genocide.
Take Action Now: bit.ly/stop-arming-genocide
CAIR-CA is calling on all Californians to email Senators Padilla and Schiff and demand they:
- Acknowledge the human cost of their votes to continue arms transfers to Israel.
- End their support for weapons sales that enable the mass killing, starvation, and displacement of Palestinians.
- Take immediate steps to stop U.S. complicity in genocide, apartheid, and occupation.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Senior Communications Coordinator Madi Hameed, mmorse-hameed@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Contact Tasneem Manjra, 916.441.6469, tManjra@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, 760.201.7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR-SFBA Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com