PORTLAND, Ore. — Standing outside Portland City Hall on September 4, community members and elected officials joined together to demand an end to U.S. military support for Israel. Their call: for Oregon’s congressional delegation to back the Block the Bombs Act, legislation aimed at restricting the transfer of lethal weapons to Israel amid the country’s ongoing war in Gaza.
A Personal Plea from Oregon’s Palestinian Community
Among the speakers was Mohanad, a Palestinian living in Oregon, who described the anguish of watching violence unfold thousands of miles away. His mother, who suffers from chronic health conditions, remains in Gaza, and several family members have been killed during Israel’s military campaign.
“What hurts most,” he said, “is knowing the taxes I pay here contribute to the weapons that killed members of my family.”
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Mohanad emphasized that his story is not unique—many Palestinian Americans feel torn between the safety of their lives in the U.S. and the devastation endured by relatives abroad.
Billions in U.S. Military Aid
Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, the U.S. has provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid and arms. Reports estimate nearly $18 billion in direct military assistance flowed to Israel in the first year alone, with total aid now surpassing $31 billion over two years.
Speakers at Thursday’s event criticized the lack of transparency around these figures and drew a sharp contrast between billions spent on weapons abroad and unmet needs at home.
Redirecting Resources at Home
Portland City Councilor Angelita Morillo said those billions could have transformed local communities. She pointed to projects like seismic infrastructure upgrades, reconnecting the Albina neighborhood with a cap over I-5, and ensuring no child in Portland goes hungry.
“We could do anything with $31 billion,” Morillo said. “Instead, our money is going toward starving, bombing, and maiming children in other countries, because our leaders do not find their lives to be valuable.”
Mounting Civilian Deaths in Gaza
According to figures cited at the press conference and supported by the United Nations and peer-reviewed research, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians over nearly two years, with children representing a significant share of the casualties. In addition, hundreds—mostly children—have died of starvation as famine conditions worsen due to Israel’s restrictions on aid entering Gaza.
Advocates for the Block the Bombs Act argue these deaths underscore the urgent need to end U.S. complicity through weapons transfers.
Oregon’s Divided Delegation
Some members of Oregon’s congressional delegation have already aligned with the movement. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle have co-sponsored the bill. Representative Maxine Dexter has publicly called for halting offensive weapons transfers but has not formally signed on.
In the Senate, Jeff Merkley has expressed support for curbing arms exports, informed in part by his recent trip to Israel and the Gaza border. But Senator Ron Wyden has taken the opposite stance, opposing such legislation and insisting that military aid is necessary for Israel to defend itself against “threats from Iran and its terrorist proxies.” Wyden’s position has drawn criticism from Portland constituents, including members of Jewish Voice for Peace, who argue his votes ignore grassroots opposition to continued aid.
A Call to Listen
Oregon State Senator Khanh Pham addressed members of the delegation who have remained undecided or silent.
“We urge you to listen to the stories of Oregonians whose family members have been injured and killed by the offensive weapons funded by the U.S.,” Pham said.
For Representative Willy Chotzen, the decision to speak out publicly was about balancing local responsibilities with moral accountability. “I ran for office to focus on housing, education, and infrastructure,” he said. “But with the position I’ve been given comes the responsibility to disrupt violence, even when it’s beyond my direct jurisdiction.”
The Block the Bombs Act
Introduced in May by Illinois Representative Delia Ramirez, the Block the Bombs Act seeks to prohibit the transfer of the deadliest U.S. defense weapons and services to Israel. The legislation has already attracted 40 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
While its future remains uncertain, supporters argue that the bill reflects public sentiment. Recent polling shows a majority of Americans oppose continued U.S. military aid to Israel, favoring instead diplomatic solutions and investment in domestic needs.
Growing Pressure for Change
Advocates say the combination of grassroots activism, local elected officials’ endorsements, and the lived experiences of Oregonians like Mohanad has created momentum for a shift in U.S. policy.
“The survivors, the families, and the people standing here today are proof that this is not about politics,” Morillo said. “It’s about humanity, justice, and ensuring our tax dollars no longer fund the suffering of children abroad.”
As the debate continues in Congress, pressure from Oregon and beyond could determine whether the U.S. stays the course—or begins to reconsider the billions it sends overseas while domestic crises remain unresolved.
