Senate Strikes Down Bernie Sanders’ Resolution to Block Arms Sale to Israel

Senate Rejects Bernie Sanders’ Resolution to Block $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel

The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly voted down three resolutions introduced by independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont that sought to prevent a $20 billion arms sale to Israel.

Senate Vote on Arms Sale to Israel

A year after the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Senator Sanders introduced three Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) in September, aiming to halt U.S. arms transfers to Israel. The resolutions followed reports from the Gaza Health Ministry estimating over 43,000 casualties due to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.

The conflict has severely impacted Gaza’s infrastructure, with United Nations officials warning of an impending famine. Over 2 million Palestinians are experiencing extreme levels of hunger, making humanitarian assistance critical.

Sanders’ Plea and Senate’s Response

During an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, Sanders urged his colleagues to acknowledge the humanitarian crisis and the U.S.’s role in what he called “mass starvation.” However, his primary resolution, S.J. Res. 111, was overwhelmingly rejected in a 18-79 vote on Wednesday night. Given the strong bipartisan support for Israel in the Senate, the resolutions were unlikely to pass, but the debate underscored divisions among Democrats regarding President Joe Biden’s approach to the conflict.

Sanders has consistently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military strategy and restrictions on humanitarian aid. He argues that Israel is violating international law and exceeding its right to self-defense. The senator has also voiced frustration with the Biden administration’s unwavering military support for Israel, calling for greater accountability.

Details of the Proposed Military Restrictions

The rejected resolutions sought to block the transfer of key military supplies, including tank rounds, water rounds, and guidance kits for bombs deployed in Gaza. At a press conference alongside Senators Peter Welch, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, Sanders emphasized that these arms transfers contribute to ongoing violence and human rights violations.

U.S. Military Aid to Israel and Legal Concerns

The United States has provided Israel with over $310 billion in economic and military aid, including at least $228 billion in military assistance, according to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Just in the past year, the Biden administration has allocated $18 billion in military support, supplying Israel with more than 50,000 tons of weaponry and military equipment.

Sanders contends that the U.S. is violating both the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibit arms sales to countries engaged in human rights abuses or those obstructing humanitarian aid. International organizations, including the United Nations, have condemned Israel’s restrictions on aid deliveries, despite Israeli assurances of allowing humanitarian assistance.

Call for U.S. Action

In a recent Washington Post opinion piece, Sanders highlighted the urgency of addressing the crisis, writing, “The need is greater than at any other time in the conflict; the volume of aid getting into Gaza in recent weeks is lower than at any point since the war began.”

He further stated, “Much of this death and destruction has been carried out with U.S. weaponry and paid for by American taxpayers. Something must be done.”

While Sanders’ resolutions failed to pass, they have reignited discussions about the United States’ role in the conflict and its long-standing military support for Israel. With the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsening, the debate over U.S. foreign policy and arms sales is far from over.