Cruz planning resolution to support arms sales to Israel

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he plans to introduce a resolution supporting arms sales to Israel, following efforts by progressive Democrats to block the transactions.

“Next week I’m introducing a resolution to approve the arm sales, and I’m going to fight for a vote because there are a lot of Democrats in the Senate who want to play footsie, want to say ‘well, now, I don’t agree with that antisemitic language from the squad.’ Well, let’s vote,” Cruz said during an appearance late Saturday on Fox News’s “Justice with Judge Jeanine.”

NEW: Sen. Ted Cruz to intro resolution next week to approve arms sale to Israel.

Cruz to Senate Dems: “Let’s decide if you are willing to send weapons to support Israel or if you are going to sashay up to the anti-Israel Left…”

CC: AOC & Bernie Sanders who oppose arms sale. pic.twitter.com/oX1sAIAoC7

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) May 23, 2021

Cruz’s intent to introduce the resolution comes after progressives, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), mounted an effort last week to block a $735 million arms sales to Israel following an escalation in violence between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas that ended with a ceasefire on Thursday.

Sanders’s effort, however, is unlikely to gain traction in the upper chamber because of a lack of support among his colleagues.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is leading a similar campaign in the House.

The fighting, marked by missile strikes and rocket fire in the Gaza Strip and Israel, lasted 11 days. More than 200 Palestinians were killed, as were 12 Israelis.

Cruz said on Fox News that his resolution will illustrate if lawmakers are willing to “support Israel” or “sashay up to the anti-Israel left.”

“Let’s decide if you’re willing to send weapons to support Israel, or if you’re going to sashay up to the anti-Israel left, then you need to own it and I hope we’re gonna have a vote next week and decide which side of the line everyone stands on,” Cruz said.