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Senator Andy Kim votes to block Billion Dollar Arms Deal to Israel
NJ Sen. Andy Kim and others voted on two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval in an attempt to stop a multi-billion-dollar arms deal to Israel
On April 3rd, 2025, New Jersey Senator Andy Kim released a statement commenting on his vote for two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, S.J.Res. 26 and S.J.Res. 33.
In his statement, Senator Kim said "His (Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's) decision to resume military strikes and operations is not the path to take. There has been too much tragic loss of civilian life, including family members of New Jerseyans who grieve constantly and continue to be filled with deep worry about those still in Gaza".
- S.J.Res. 26 is listed as "A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services"
- According to Senator Bernie Sanders, this resolution would block a $2.04 Billion sale for 35,329 MK 84 2,000 lb. bombs and 4,000 I-2000 Penetrator warheads.
- In December of 2023, the New York Times released an investigation that they claim revealed evidence that the Israeli military dropped over 200 bombs of similar size to the MK 84 on South Gaza after ordering civilians to move there for safety.
- S.J.Res. 33 is listed as "A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services"
- According to Senator Bernie Sanders, this resolution would block a $6.75 billion sale for 2,800 500-pound bombs, 2,166 Small Diameter Bombs, and tens of thousands of JDAM guidance kits.
- According to the United States Air Force, a JDAM kit is used to convert an unguided free-fall bomb into an accurate, "smart" munition; allowing a GPS guidance system to control the bomb's movement. The Air Force even says that the JDAM can be used with the MK 84 2,000 lb bomb, as well as smaller 1,000- and 500 lb bombs.
"While I support providing tools critical for Israel’s defense," Senator Kim said, "I do not believe that these systems, which include those that can level entire city blocks and that have been used in incidents with disproportionate civilian casualties, achieve the primary objectives I’ve outlined. In fact, their use will make it harder".
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Resolutions 26 and 33 were both only approved by 15 Senators, and were rejected on April 3rd, allowing the arms deal to move forward.
On April 8th, 2025, the BBC reported claims that 58 people had been killed in Gaza in the previous 24 hours. Their sources say that Israeli strikes killed 19 people, including 5 children whose home town of Deir al-Balah was hit. They also reported that the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS) said "a second Palestinian Journalist died of wounds suffered following an Israeli strike on Monday". The PJS has released a statement urging the International Criminal Court to expedite the proceedings and complaints filed against Israeli war criminals.
