The United States Senate has recently rejected attempts to stop the sale of specific American weaponry to Israel, a decision prompted by rising concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Senator Bernie Sanders spearheaded the initiative through joint resolutions of disapproval aimed at halting the Biden administration’s proposed $20 billion arms deal with Israel. Nevertheless, these resolutions did not receive adequate backing, securing only around 20 votes from the 100-member Senate.
Senator Sanders condemned Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have led to more than 43,000 fatalities, and accused the United States of complicity due to its persistent military support. He pointed out that U.S. legislation prohibits military aid to entities engaged in human rights abuses. Despite this legal framework, the Biden administration has continued to facilitate arms transfers, even after Israel did not fulfill a U.S.-imposed requirement to enhance humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
Support for the resolutions also came from Senator Elizabeth Warren and others, who stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable and ensuring that U.S. actions are consistent with its laws and ethical standards. Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley expressed his opposition to the transfer of weapons that have been utilized in bombing campaigns resulting in extensive destruction and significant loss of life. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, with reports from the United Nations indicating that over 65% of housing and essential infrastructure has been devastated and that 90% of the Palestinian population has been displaced.
Although this initiative to obstruct arms sales was not successful, it sought to convey disapproval of Israeli policies and to exert pressure on both Israel and the Biden administration to confront the escalating humanitarian crisis.
