Pramila Jayapal Pushes Ban on U.S. Weapons Sales After Reports of White Phosphorus Use in Lebanon
June 12, 2026
TOXIC WHITE PHOSPHORUS. BURNED LAND. NO ACCOUNTABILITY.
Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Congresswoman, is among lawmakers backing efforts to block future sales of white phosphorus to Israel, arguing that weapons linked to civilian harm should not continue receiving American support.
For months, Lebanon has accused Israel of using white phosphorus in populated areas, leaving behind burned farmland, damaged communities and serious concerns about the long-term impact on civilians.
Now, the issue is reaching the halls of Congress.
If these weapons are too dangerous to be ignored, why were they allowed to be used in the first place?
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Sources from x: @repjayapal @nytimes
#Israel #Lebanon #Lawmakers
English Script:
Pramila Jayapal: My amendment would prevent the sale, license or transfer of white phosphorus munitions to Israel to end U.S. complicity in an especially horrific form of destruction. White phosphorus is an incredibly dangerous chemical when used on the battlefield. Once exposed to air, white phosphorus spontaneously ignites and sets fire wherever it lands. That is incredibly difficult to put out. When it comes into contact with human skin, it causes severe burns that can penetrate down to the bone, and even if burn tissue is medically removed. Wounds can reignite when bandages are removed and the phosphorus is re-exposed to oxygen. The chemical is often absorbed into the bloodstream, poisoning internal organs. A recent investigation by the New York Times found that white phosphorus has been used by Israel as recently as May 30th in several highly populated cities across Lebanon, including over a city of roughly 40,000 people. And instead of ground bursts. Videos of these attacks show white phosphorus projectiles being detonated in the air, leading to indiscriminate harm on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Mind you, this is weeks into a so-called cessation of hostilities, and just a day after Israeli and Lebanese military officials met at the Pentagon, where Israel committed that it had no hostile intent towards Lebanon. This is not a new occurrence. Israel’s use of white phosphorus has been under scrutiny by the international community for decades. Backlash was so severe in 2013, the Israeli government stated that they would no longer use white phosphorus in populated areas except under extreme circumstances. But that backlash has subsided, and with the US government continuing to send an unconditional flow of arms to Israel, it should be no surprise that the IDF feels emboldened to walk back on this commitment. The United States must make clear to the government of Israel that if they continue to conduct unilateral strikes that prevent us from securing a ceasefire, there will be consequences. Prohibiting the sale of white phosphorus is the first step in asserting our leverage, and demonstrating that the United States truly has a commitment to ending this war. I urge my colleagues to vote yes, and I yield back.
