Senate Rejects Bernie Sanders’ Proposal to Halt Arms Sale to Israel
The U.S. Senate voted against three resolutions introduced by independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders that sought to block a $20 billion arms sale to Israel.
Nearly a year after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, Sanders put forth these Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) in late September. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s subsequent military campaign has led to over 43,000 deaths, based on some estimates.
The situation in Gaza has worsened significantly. United Nations officials have warned of an impending famine, as over 1.8 million Palestinians face “extremely critical” hunger levels, Newsweek reported.
During an impassioned speech on the Senate floor Wednesday evening, Sanders urged his colleagues to “not turn a blind eye” to the humanitarian crisis and U.S. support for “mass starvation.”
His S.J. Res. 111 resolution failed in a 18–79 vote in the Senate on Wednesday night. Given Israel’s strong bipartisan backing in Congress, these motions were not expected to succeed. However, they highlight growing Democratic dissent regarding President Joe Biden’s stance on the war.
Sanders, who is Jewish, has been vocal in criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military actions and restrictions on aid delivery. He contends that Israel is violating international law and exceeding its right to self-defense.
The Vermont senator has frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the war and its unwavering support for Israel. He has also voiced frustration over the lack of accountability for Israel’s actions.
The resolutions sought to halt the transfer of U.S. tank ammunition, water rounds, and guidance kits for the “bombs dropped in Gaza,” Sanders explained during a Tuesday press conference alongside Senators Peter Welch, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley. Sanders asserted that the U.S. is “complicit” in the war, its crimes, and violations of international law.
The measures would have blocked around $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel. According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the U.S. has provided Israel with over $310 billion in economic and military aid, including at least $228 billion in military assistance, underscoring the enduring alliance between the two nations.
“The United States government is currently in violation of the law, and every member of the U.S. Senate who believes in the rule of law should vote for the resolutions,” Sanders declared the day before the vote.
He argued that U.S. arms transfers violate the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibit aid to countries that commit human rights violations or obstruct U.S. humanitarian aid.
The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have criticized Israel for its actions, especially its restrictions on humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Israel has stated that it is facilitating food and other aid deliveries.
In an opinion piece for the Washington Post this week, Sanders wrote, “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 lamented, “All of this is unspeakable and immoral. But what makes it even more painful is that much of this death and destruction has been carried out with U.S. weaponry and paid for by American taxpayers. During the last year alone, the United States has provided $18 billion in military aid to Israel and delivered more than 50,000 tons of armaments and military equipment.”