WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King, a member of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) and Intelligence Committees (SSCI) released the following statement after the Senate voted on two joint resolutions to block weapons sales to Israel:

“While I have been sharply critical of Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza, and, in fact, voted in favor Senator Sanders’ prior resolution which would have restricted the supply of offensive weapons, I could not do so today. 

“My concern was that a positive vote from the Senate today would actually prolong the conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza by encouraging Hamas to resist the negotiations that are essential to bringing an end to this awful war and the release of the remaining hostages.

“Today’s resolutions were especially troubling in their timing. At this moment, active negotiations are underway in the region and my judgement was that the resolutions, if passed, could and probably would derail those critical discussions.

“My highest priority is an end to this conflict as soon as possible and a release of the hostages and I could not cast a vote that I believe was likely to undermine that goal."

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