California Civil Rights Group Applauds Senators’ Gaza Aid Support

The Council on American-Islamic Relations California (CAIR-CA) released a statement welcoming U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff’s support for a Senate resolution calling for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group also urged both senators to adopt a firmer stance by demanding an end to U.S. weapons sales to Israel, citing ongoing concerns about the humanitarian crisis and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip. The resolution, introduced by Senator Peter Welch and co-sponsored by nearly all Senate Democrats, underscores a growing bipartisan shift in Congress as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to mount.

Senators Padilla and Schiff Rally for Gaza Aid Amid Mounting Crisis

Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have recently endorsed S.Res.224, a resolution urging the U.S. government to leverage all available diplomatic tools to secure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The resolution, introduced on May 13, 2025, calls for the immediate restoration of food, medical supplies, and other necessities for Palestinian civilians, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas. Senator Schiff, in a statement on May 6, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that “no humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza since March 2 and the lives of tens of thousands of civilians, including children, are under urgent risk of death”.

The resolution has garnered near-unanimous support among Senate Democrats, with 44 45 Democratic senators signing on as co-sponsors. Two Independents have also joined the effort, reflecting a rare moment of consensus within the party on the issue of Gaza. However, the measure has faced opposition from Senate Republicans, who remain wary of any language perceived as critical of Israel’s military actions.

“It’s not right for aid to be withheld as an instrument of war, and regrettably, that appears to have been a decision that has been made by the Israeli government,” said Senator Peter Welch, who introduced the resolution.

CAIR-CA Urges Stronger Action Against U.S. Arms Sales

While CAIR-CA praised Senators Padilla and Schiff for supporting the Gaza aid resolution, the organization pressed for more decisive action. In its statement, CAIR-CA called on both senators to “adopt a principled stance against U.S. complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza by committing to end U.S. weapons sales to Israel”. The group cited mounting evidence of civilian harm and the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in military operations that have resulted in significant loss of life and destruction in Gaza.

“We welcome Senators Padilla and Schiff’s support for S. Res. 244, recognizing the catastrophic and preventable humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” said CAIR-CA. “We urge them to join the growing number of voices calling for an end to U.S. weapons sales to Israel, which are enabling the ongoing devastation and loss of innocent lives”.

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with international organizations warning of imminent famine and widespread suffering. Since the outbreak of the latest conflict in October 2023, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 48,000, with over 111,000 people injured, according to data cited by Al Jazeera. The blockade on food, medicine, and other essential supplies has left hundreds of thousands of civilians, including children, at risk of starvation and disease.

Senator Peter Welch highlighted the plight of Jinan Iskafi, a four-month-old Gaza baby who died of malnutrition in early May 2025 because her parents could not access the formula she needed, which was just across the border. The resolution’s supporters argue that the withholding of aid as a tactic of war is both morally indefensible and counterproductive to long-term peace efforts.

U.S. Arms Sales to Israel

The United States remains Israel’s largest supplier of military aid and weapons. In 2024 alone, U.S. exports of arms, ammunition, and related components to Israel totaled $1.6 billion, according to United Nations trade data5. The Trump administration has approved nearly $12 billion in major Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Israel since taking office, with emergency authorities used to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance in early 2025. The State Department has also approved potential sales of nearly $3 billion in munitions and other weaponry to Israel in recent months.

The U.S. government’s longstanding policy of ensuring Israel’s “qualitative military edge” (QME) has led to decades of robust military cooperation, with Israel receiving priority access to advanced U.S. weapons systems. However, this partnership has come under increasing scrutiny as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened. Critics argue that the continued flow of U.S. weapons enables military operations that result in significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction.

“The scale of destruction and war crimes in Gaza would not be possible without this continued flow of weapons from the U.S.,” according to a report by the American Friends Service Committee.

Policy Reversals and Congressional Debates

The Trump administration has reversed several Biden-era policies that sought to condition U.S. arms sales to Israel on compliance with international law and human rights standards. In February 2025, the White House revoked a key memorandum linking arms sales to human rights concerns, prompting criticism from human rights advocates and some lawmakers. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) described the decision as “shameful” and detrimental to both global human rights and the United States’ international reputation.

Senator Schiff, while supporting humanitarian aid for Gaza, has also voted against efforts to block arms sales to Israel. In May 2025, he voted against a joint resolution of disapproval that sought to block $8.8 billion in arms sales to Israel over concerns about the human rights crisis in Gaza. Schiff has emphasized the need to balance support for Israel’s security with humanitarian relief for Palestinians.

Advocates and Analysts Weigh In

Civil rights and humanitarian organizations have been vocal in calling for a change in U.S. policy. CAIR-CA’s statement reflects a broader movement among advocacy groups to pressure lawmakers to address both the immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza and the root causes of the crisis, including U.S. military support for Israel.

“The number of senators who chose to support this resolution is striking,” said Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of New Jewish Narrative. “Criticizing the Israeli government used to be considered political suicide. Now, Democrats are responding to the devastating situation on the ground. There’s no reality in which Israel can pursue a strategy of starvation and endless war, and expect to keep bipartisan American support”.

Analysts note that the resolution’s language avoids direct criticism of either Israel or Hamas, instead focusing on the urgent need to address the suffering of civilians and secure the release of hostages. This approach reflects the delicate political balancing act that many lawmakers face as they navigate the complex and emotionally charged issue.

The Economic and Strategic Implications of U.S. Arms Sales

The United States’ military assistance to Israel is not only a matter of foreign policy but also has significant economic implications. The annual $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel is largely used to purchase U.S.-made weapons, providing a steady stream of revenue for major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, RTX (formerly Raytheon), Boeing, and General Dynamics. The recent surge in arms sales has coincided with rising stock prices for these companies, further entrenching the economic incentives for continued military cooperation.

Critics argue that this arrangement amounts to “corporate welfare” for the arms industry, while others contend that it is necessary to maintain Israel’s security in a volatile region. The debate over U.S. arms sales to Israel is thus intertwined with broader questions about the role of military aid in American foreign policy and the ethical responsibilities of lawmakers.

Public Opinion and Political Pressure

Public opinion in the United States remains divided on the issue of military aid to Israel. While many Americans continue to support Israel’s right to self-defense, there is growing concern about the humanitarian consequences of U.S.-backed military operations in Gaza. Protests and advocacy campaigns have put pressure on lawmakers to reconsider the scale and conditions of military assistance to Israel.

CAIR-CA’s call for an end to U.S. weapons sales to Israel is part of a broader effort by civil society organizations to hold the U.S. government accountable for its role in the ongoing conflict. The group’s statement highlights the moral and legal obligations of the United States to prevent further harm to civilians in Gaza.

The Future of U.S. Policy on Gaza and Israel

The passage of the Senate resolution on Gaza aid marks a significant development in U.S. policy toward the region. However, the lack of Republican support and the ongoing debate over arms sales underscore the challenges of achieving meaningful change in a deeply polarized political environment.

Advocates like CAIR-CA are likely to continue pushing for stronger measures, including the suspension of U.S. weapons sales to Israel and the imposition of stricter human rights conditions on military aid. The outcome of these efforts will depend on the ability of lawmakers to reconcile competing priorities and respond to the evolving humanitarian and political realities on the ground.

Key Takeaways and Future Developments

The Senate resolution calling for urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza has brought renewed attention to the plight of Palestinian civilians and the role of the United States in the ongoing conflict. While the resolution has garnered strong support from Senate Democrats, it faces opposition from Republicans and does not address the issue of U.S. arms sales to Israel.

CAIR-CA’s statement welcoming Senators Padilla and Schiff’s support for the resolution, while urging them to call for an end to U.S. weapons sales to Israel, reflects the growing momentum behind efforts to hold the U.S. government accountable for its policies in the region. The debate over military aid and humanitarian relief is likely to intensify in the coming months, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows no signs of abating and the political stakes for U.S. lawmakers continue to rise.

“We urge them to join the growing number of voices calling for an end to U.S. weapons sales to Israel, which are enabling the ongoing devastation and loss of innocent lives,” said CAIR-CA.

As Congress and the administration grapple with these complex issues, the voices of civil rights organizations, humanitarian advocates, and concerned citizens will play a crucial role in shaping the future of U.S. policy toward Gaza and Israel.