Jeff Merkley

Merkley has described Israel as a critical partner and friend and said U.S. security assistance, regional security cooperation, and intelligence sharing are essential. In 2019, he said he supported the Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act in committee, while voting against a broader Middle East package because of First Amendment objections to its BDS provisions.

In April 2024, Merkley voted against H.R. 815, the national-security supplemental that included assistance for Israel. He said he supported defensive aid for Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam, but opposed additional offensive weapons because of the Netanyahu government's conduct in Gaza.

On April 15, 2026, Merkley voted to advance S.J. Res. 32 and S.J. Res. 138, which sought to block proposed sales of military bulldozers and 1,000-pound bomb bodies to Israel; both motions failed. Merkley said he viewed the equipment as offensive and argued that the transfers would deepen U.S. complicity in destruction and the ongoing Iran war, while framing his position as opposition to particular offensive weapons rather than to all U.S.- Israel security cooperation. In September 2025, he had also introduced a Senate resolution calling for U.S. recognition of a demilitarized Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

In 2015, Merkley supported the JCPOA, describing a nuclear-armed Iran as an enormous danger to the United States and an existential threat to Israel and other regional allies. He argued that the agreement's enrichment limits, inspections, and verification mechanisms were the best available strategy for blocking Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In 2021, Merkley joined senators urging a return to the JCPOA through a 'compliance for compliance' approach, followed by broader diplomacy involving Israel and Gulf states and efforts to extend nuclear limits over time. The senators also called for addressing Iran's missile program, support for regional proxies, and other destabilizing activities.

After the October 7 attack, Merkley described Hamas's assault on Israeli towns as a horrific terrorist attack that killed and kidnapped Israeli civilians. He said Israel had the right to pursue a targeted campaign to eliminate Hamas and prevent future attacks, while emphasizing civilian protections and humanitarian access.

When calling for a ceasefire in November 2023, Merkley said Hamas must release all hostages, lay down its arms, and cease to exercise operational control over Gaza. He also said Hamas continued to defend the October 7 killings and advocate for Israel's destruction.

On the first anniversary of October 7, Merkley again condemned Hamas's terrorist attack, called for Hamas to be held accountable, expressed solidarity with families of those killed or still held hostage, and urged the United States to use its leverage to secure hostage releases, humanitarian aid, and a lasting ceasefire.

In January 2025, Merkley welcomed the ceasefire and hostage-release agreement. He said Israel had every right to go after Hamas after October 7, while arguing that the Netanyahu government's broader conduct of the war was unacceptable and calling for implementation of the ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and a two-state solution.

In 2019, Merkley said he unequivocally condemned antisemitic language and efforts to delegitimize Israel's right to exist. He also said antisemitism had too often appeared within the BDS movement, while maintaining that peaceful protest and dissent are protected by the First Amendment.

In August 2025, Merkley joined Oregon's congressional delegation in condemning rising antisemitism after swastikas were drawn at the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education. The statement distinguished legitimate criticism of the Israeli government from prejudice or attacks directed at Jewish people and institutions.

In July 2023, Merkley and Senator Ron Wyden announced Department of Homeland Security Nonprofit Security Grant Program awards for organizations at heightened risk of terrorist attack. Recipients included numerous Oregon Jewish institutions, among them Chabad of NE Portland, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Neveh Shalom, Portland Jewish Academy, Temple Beth Israel of Eugene, and the Salem Jewish Congregation.

In May 2026, representatives of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland met with lead staff from Merkley's office to advocate for the Jewish American Security Act and expansion of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The Federation described the office as receptive, but the account does not establish that Merkley endorsed the legislation or each of the delegation's requests.

In January 2025, Merkley voted against invoking cloture on H.R. 23, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which would impose sanctions relating to International Criminal Court efforts to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute protected persons from the United States and allied countries.

In 2021, Merkley joined senators urging the State Department to restore U.S. funding for UNRWA to its previous annual level of $360 million and support emergency appeals, subject to applicable U.S. laws and vetting standards.