The U.S. Senate unanimously urged the Egyptian government to stop arms from crossing the Egyptian-Gaza Strip border.
The amendment, which passed Sept. 6, was attached to a spending bill that includes $1.3 billion in military assistance for Egypt.
“Fighting in Gaza during the summer of 2007 demonstrated that the terrorist organization Hamas, which unlawfully seized control over Gaza in June 2007, has been able to achieve a dramatic increase in the quantity and sophistication of arms at its disposal,” the amendment said. “Without these arms, the terrorist organization would not have been able to seize control over the Gaza territory.”
The non-binding amendment initiated by Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) “urges the Government of Egypt to make concrete and measurable progress on restoring the rule of law, including improving the independence of the judiciary and improving criminal procedures and due process rights and halting the cross-border flow of arms to Gaza.”
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.