Progressives Urge U.S. Arms Embargo After Israel Bombs Qatar

Israel’s bombing of the Qatari capital Doha on Tuesday marked the sixth country the powerful U.S. ally attacked so far this year. 

U.S. and Israeli officials told CNN and other outlets on Tuesday that Israel — which the U.S. arms to the tune of billions of dollars each year — gave President Donald Trump’s administration advance warning before carrying out the strike. The attack drew ire from progressive members of Congress, who told The Intercept that the U.S. must stop arming Israel as it accelerates attacks around the globe.

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“In the past two years, Israel has bombed nation after nation with no repercussions — all while conducting a genocide and manufacturing a famine in Gaza using U.S. taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa. “There must be accountability for Israel’s unchecked power and destabilization of the region. The United States must implement an arms embargo immediately.”

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said the strikes were “a mistake” that will only intensify the conflict. “I think it’s a mistake to have those strikes. And the president is saying we need to end the war. This is escalating the conflict,” said Khanna.

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Members of Congress also expressed concerns that Israel was intent on expanding its “never-ending war” at the expense of both the Palestinian people and the remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas custody. 

“My concern is that this is a never-ending war, where Israel is targeting more and more countries around the world with impunity,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., “instead of negotiating a ceasefire and getting the hostages home and getting aid to the Palestinians.”

Israel has carried out tens of thousands of attacks in Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Yemen, and now Qatar since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project. In the last three days, Israel bombed three residential buildings in Gaza City and dropped leaflets ordering residents to evacuate.

Israel said the attacks in Doha on Tuesday targeted leaders of Hamas. U.S. military funding and arms make Israel’s offensive attacks possible; Without it, the country would not be able to continue its siege on Gaza.

Qatar has been mediating the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, alongside Egypt. Hamas officials claimed that their negotiation team was targeted in the strike. On Tuesday, experts told The Intercept the attack was “a mockery of international law.”

Qatari officials have called the strike a “blatant violation” of international law. 

“The State of Qatar strongly condemns the cowardly Israeli attack that targeted residential buildings housing several members of the Political Bureau of Hamas in the Qatari capital, Doha,” wrote Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on X. “This criminal assault constitutes a blatant violation of all international laws and norms, and poses a serious threat to the security and safety of Qataris and residents in Qatar.” 

While the White House distanced itself from the attack — with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying Trump “feels very badly” — some conservatives celebrated it. In a post on X, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., implied that the strikes should extend into Lebanon and Syria, which were both attacked by Israel earlier this year.

“To those who want this war to end: Insist that Hamas surrender now. To my Israeli friends: I understand your determination to ensure there are no more ‘October 7’ attacks and that those who want to destroy the Jewish state are denied that capability. I will always be your partner in this endeavor,” Graham wrote. “To Lebanon: Hezbollah is on my mind. To Syria: Choose wisely.”