U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono has expressed her stance on the transfer of certain offensive weapons to Israel by voting for three Joint Resolutions of Disapproval. These resolutions were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders with the aim of halting the transfer of weapons such as tank rounds, mortars, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Israel.
In her statement, Senator Hirono affirmed her support for Israel's right to self-defense, especially in light of the attack by Hamas on October 7. However, she raised concerns about how Prime Minister Netanyahu has used U.S.-supplied weapons over the past year. According to Hirono, these actions have sometimes been indiscriminate and disproportionate, not aligning with U.S. law and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Hirono stated that prolonging the conflict poses risks to regional stability and security, including that of Israel itself. This concern was a driving factor behind her decision to support Sanders' resolutions against transferring offensive weapons to Netanyahu's government.
She reiterated her commitment to supporting defensive systems like Iron Dome, which are vital for Israel’s defense capabilities. Moreover, Hirono emphasized her ongoing efforts toward ending the war through initiatives such as negotiating a ceasefire and working towards lasting peace in the region via a two-state solution.