Former Biden advisor Jake Sullivan urges Democrats to support arms embargo on 'Israel'

Former White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has urged Democratic lawmakers to support an arms embargo on 'Israel', citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the collapse of ceasefire negotiations earlier this year.

Speaking on The Bulwark podcast on Wednesday, hosted by Tim Miller, Sullivan revealed that he had privately informed members of Congress of his backing for measures to withhold US weapons from 'Israel'.

EXCLUSIVE: Jake Sullivan told Dems to vote against weapons to Israel. Watch the latest Bulwark Podcast with @Timodc now. pic.twitter.com/9axhaLSr6w

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) August 27, 2025

“I have, in fact, told a number of members who were thinking about the votes on these resolutions that the situation as it stands today, following the breakdown of the ceasefire in March, means that a vote to withhold weapons to Israel is a totally credible position. That is a position I would support,” he said.

Sullivan’s remarks come in the context of resolutions introduced by Vermont Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders, which sought to block certain arms transfers to 'Israel'. Although the measures failed in the Senate, for the first time, more than half of Democratic senators, 27 in total, voted in favor in July 2025, reflecting growing concern over 'Israel’s' military operations in Gaza.

The former advisor’s position marks a notable shift from his role in the Biden administration, during which he had lobbied against similar restrictions on arms to 'Israel' in the first 18 months of the conflict. During that period, the US provided substantial military support to 'Israel' following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed roughly 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 captives.

Sullivan framed his current stance within broader discussions on the future of US-'Israel' relations, pointing to concerns about the direction of 'Israeli' domestic politics under the present government.

The podcast episode, titled “Jake Sullivan: Trump Is Making China Great Again,” also touched on US foreign policy under President Donald Trump and the evolving humanitarian situation in Gaza.