Washington: On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted decisively against three resolutions aimed at halting the transfer of U.S. weapons to Israel. The resolutions, filed by progressive lawmakers concerned about the ongoing human rights crisis in Gaza, were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and supported by some Democrats critical of the treatment of Palestinian civilians. Despite significant backing from the Democratic caucus, the resolutions failed to advance, reflecting a deep division within President Biden’s party over its approach to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
The votes saw 79 senators oppose a measure to block tank rounds to Israel, with 18 in support and one voting present. A second proposal, to prevent the shipment of mortar rounds, was rejected with 78 votes against and 19 in favor. A third measure aimed at halting the shipment of joint direct attack munitions (JDAMS) kits also failed, with 80 senators voting against it and 17 in favor. These JDAMS kits, produced by Boeing, convert standard unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions using GPS technology.
Sanders had introduced a total of six resolutions addressing $20 billion in weapons sales to Israel, but only three were brought to a vote. The Biden administration opposed the resolutions, arguing that military assistance to Israel is vital to its long-term security amidst threats from Iran and other hostile groups. The administration also emphasized its efforts to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The vote underscored the longstanding bipartisan support for Israel, a tradition that made the passage of these resolutions unlikely. However, the proponents of the resolutions hoped that the significant support they garnered would send a strong message to both Israel’s government and the Biden administration to do more to protect Palestinian civilians.
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues, with over 43,000 Palestinians reported dead due to Israel’s offensive, Sanders has argued that U.S. military aid to Israel violates both U.S. and international laws that prohibit arms sales to human rights abusers. Sanders also criticized Israel’s actions, including blocking aid shipments to Gaza. “It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values,” Sanders said in his speech before the vote.
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Opponents of the resolutions, including Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, argued that Israel’s security needs were paramount given the ongoing threats from militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Schumer called the timing of the resolutions “inappropriate” given the dangerous regional context.
The Senate vote may have marked one of the last opportunities to challenge weapons sales to Israel before a new U.S. administration takes office in January. The Biden administration has maintained strong support for Israel, particularly after Hamas’s attacks on Israeli civilians in October 2023. Despite some disagreements over aid distribution, the administration has expressed confidence in Israel’s efforts to improve aid flow to Gaza.
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U.S. law allows Congress to block major foreign weapons sales by passing resolutions of disapproval, although no resolution has ever both passed Congress and survived a presidential veto.
