Ocasio-Cortez leading effort to block arms sale to Israel

A group of progressive House Democrats led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Alexandria Ocasio-CortezSanders flexes on Biden, seeking to shape Democratic agenda Marjorie Taylor Greene may be 'dangerous,' but she's not the first Sunrise Movement endorses Nina Turner in special election for Ohio House seat MORE (D-N.Y.) introduced a resolution Wednesday aimed at blocking a $735 million arms sale to Israel.

The resolution is largely symbolic as Democratic leaders who support the sale are unlikely to give the legislation a vote and the window for lawmakers to force a vote to block the sale closes in a couple of days. But the effort underscores the growing divide among Democrats on Israel as a bloody crisis in Gaza continues.

“For decades, the U.S. has sold billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel without ever requiring them to respect basic Palestinian rights. In so doing, we have directly contributed to the death, displacement and disenfranchisement of millions,” Ocasio-Cortez in a statement announcing the resolution of disapproval. “At a time when so many, including President Biden Joe BidenFirm behind Arizona audit says no data was destroyed, contradicting GOP allegations Stacey Abrams on not being Biden's VP: 'He picked the right person' Overnight Defense: Top Dem backs off request for Israel arms sale delay | Afghanistan withdrawal up to 20 percent done | Esper returns to defense industry MORE, support a ceasefire, we should not be sending ‘direct attack’ weaponry to Prime Minister Netanyahu to prolong this violence.”

In addition to Ocasio-Cortez, the effort is being led by Reps. Mark Pocan Mark William PocanProgressives divided over efforts to repeal SALT cap Left feels empowered after Biden backtracks on refugees NIH reverses Trump administration's ban on fetal tissue research MORE (D-Wis.) and Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi TlaibBiden prays for safety of Tlaib's family in Michigan speech Republican resolution supporting Israel signals growing divide with Democrats Sunrise Movement endorses Nina Turner in special election for Ohio House seat MORE (D-Mich.). Other co-sponsors include Democratic Reps. Cori Bush (Mo.), Betty McCollum Betty Louise McCollumBiden approves 5M weapons sale to Israel The Memo: Lawmakers on edge after Greene's spat with Ocasio-Cortez Biden faces pressure from all sides on Israel MORE (Minn.), Ayanna Pressley Ayanna PressleyQualified immunity must be ended across the board Dems offer bill to help single-parent families get expanded child tax credit Warren says she'll run for reelection to Senate MORE (Mass.), Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOvernight Defense: Top Dem backs off request for Israel arms sale delay | Afghanistan withdrawal up to 20 percent done | Esper returns to defense industry Backing Biden, Pelosi calls for cease-fire in Israel Top House Democrat backs off plan to ask for delay in Israel arms sale MORE (Minn.), Pramila Jayapal Pramila JayapalBiden spending plans hit speed bumps Overnight Health Care: CDC approves Pfizer vaccine for adolescents aged 12-15 | House moderates signal concerns with Pelosi drug pricing bill | Panel blasts COVID-19 response House moderates signal concerns with Pelosi drug pricing bill MORE (Wash.) and André Carson (Ind.).

The Biden administration notified Congress on May 5 that it approved selling Israel $735 million in weapons, mostly Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions that can turn so-called dumb bombs into precision-guided missiles.

Most arms sales are subject to a 30-day congressional review period during which lawmakers can block the deals if they want. But some close allies, including Israel, are afforded a 15-day review period, and just two days remain in the window to block the latest sale to Israel.

The sale was approved before the current violence, but when news broke Monday of the sale, progressives were furious that the Biden administration was proceeding with it amid the current crisis.

"It is long past time to end the U.S. policy of unconditional military arms sales, particularly to governments that have violated human rights," Ocasio-Cortez, Pocan and Tlaib wrote to follow House Democrats seeking co-sponsors for their resolution in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Hill. "The United States should be prioritizing humanitarian aid and upholding human rights, not rushing through arms sales that could fuel further violence."

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, is now in its second week and shows no sign of abating.

Hamas has fired thousands of rockets at Israel — most of which have been intercepted by its Iron Dome defense system — and the Israeli government has responded with scores of aerial bombings on Gaza, the majority of which have hit their targets, causing massive amounts of Palestinian civilian deaths and injuries. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed, compared with at least 12 Israelis.

Public statements from the White House on calls between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Benjamin (Bibi) NetanyahuMORE have become increasingly more stern, with a statement Wednesday saying Biden told Netanyahu he expects a “significant de-escalation” in the violence between Israel and Hamas by Wednesday to put the two sides "on the path to a cease-fire.”

But progressive Democrats have been looking for a more explicit demand from Biden for a cease-fire.