US Senate rejects bids to block military sales to Israel
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to block three resolutions that would have halted the transfer of U.S. weapons to Israel, introduced by progressive lawmakers concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The resolutions, filed by independent Senator Bernie Sanders and co-sponsored by several Democratic colleagues, were aimed at curbing arms sales to Israel amid the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The votes saw strong partisan divisions, with all support coming from the Democratic caucus, while both Democrats and Republicans joined in opposition. Seventy-nine senators voted against a resolution that sought to stop sales of tank rounds to Israel, 78 opposed a measure to block mortar rounds, and 80 rejected a third proposal that aimed to halt shipments of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) kits. These weapons kits, produced by Boeing, convert unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.
Despite the resolutions being widely seen as symbolic, Sanders and his supporters hoped that significant support in the Senate could send a message to both the Israeli government and the Biden administration to do more to protect Palestinian civilians amidst the conflict. The resolutions targeted a total of $20 billion in U.S. military aid for Israel, including advanced weaponry like tanks and bombs.
The Biden administration opposed the resolutions, arguing that military aid to Israel was critical to the country’s long-term security, especially given the threats posed by Iran and militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The administration also pointed to its ongoing efforts to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of fighting.
In Gaza, more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023, with the region’s population of 2.3 million facing widespread displacement and famine risks. Human rights advocates, including Sanders, argue that continued U.S. military aid to Israel contributes to violations of international law, particularly given the high civilian casualties in Gaza.
“Israel cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law,” Sanders said in his Senate speech ahead of the vote. “The death toll, particularly among children and older Palestinians, is a humanitarian catastrophe.”
However, opponents, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued that halting weapons transfers at this time would undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself against existential threats. “Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its annihilation,” Schumer said.
Although the resolutions were unlikely to pass due to the longstanding bipartisan support for Israel, they highlighted the growing divide within the Democratic Party over U.S. policy toward Israel and its treatment of Palestinians. Sanders, an outspoken critic of the Netanyahu government, filed six resolutions related to U.S. military assistance to Israel, but only three were brought to a vote this week.
In the wake of these votes, attention is shifting to the upcoming transition in the White House. With President Biden’s term ending in January, many lawmakers are considering the potential shift in U.S. foreign policy under President-elect Donald Trump, who has been a staunch ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Senate’s decision underscores the deep divisions within Congress over how best to balance support for Israel’s security with concerns about human rights and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
