TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey’s two U.S. senators broke ranks this week over a proposed arms sale to Israel, with Sen. Cory Booker voting against a resolution that would have blocked the deal, while Sen. Andy Kim voted in favor of stopping the weapons transfer.
The Senate vote addressed Joint Resolution 41, introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders on March 27, which sought to prohibit the export of 20,000 fully automatic Colt carbines to Israel’s national police force. The firearms, valued at over $1 million, are classified under Category I of the United States Munitions List.
The resolution followed Executive Communication 510, which formally notified Congress of the deal on March 24. The sale involves rifles with 11.5-inch barrels and 5.56mm caliber, slated for transfer to M.R.D. Efram Investments Ltd in Israel.
The Senate ultimately rejected the resolution, allowing the arms sale to proceed. Booker, who has historically supported U.S. military assistance to Israel, voted to allow the export. Kim, who was elected to the Senate in 2024, sided with those who raised concerns over the use of American-made weapons in overseas security operations.
The split vote highlighted growing divisions among the two blue state Democrats on U.S. support for Israel amid ongoing international scrutiny. The measure was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee upon introduction but reached the floor this week for a full vote.
Kim appears to be appealing to his radical far-left base and Booker, a north Jersey native, took a more moderate stance in support of Israel.
