Senate Rejects Sanders’ Resolution to Block Arms Sales to Israel

An attempt by Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, to halt certain arms sales to Israel was defeated decisively in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday evening. The Senate voted overwhelmingly against Sanders’ joint resolution of disapproval, which aimed to block recent arms sales proposed by the Biden administration to the Israeli military.

Details of the Resolution

Senator Sanders’ resolution received backing from fellow senators including Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland; Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon; and Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont. Senators voted 79-18 against blocking the sale of tank rounds and 78-19 against preventing the shipment of mortar rounds to Israel.

Sanders’ Floor Speech

During his speech on the Senate floor, Sanders harshly criticized the Israeli government’s leadership, asserting it is run “not only by right-wing extremists, but by religious zealots.” He emphasized the importance of holding the Israeli government accountable for using U.S. taxpayer dollars and military aid to execute actions he deemed violations of U.S. and international law.

“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 despite receiving billion from U.S. taxpayers in the last year,” Sanders stated, highlighting the extensive aid Israel has received.

Concerns Over Gaza

In his address, Sanders also expressed deep concern for the living conditions in Gaza, painting a stark picture of the humanitarian crisis. “Right now, there is raw sewage running through the streets of Gaza, and it is very difficult for the people there to obtain clean drinking water,” he noted. He added that every one of Gaza’s twelve universities had been bombed and that many schools have also suffered similar fates. Moreover, Sanders pointed out that Gaza has been without electricity for 13 months.

Response to Hamas and the Palestinian People

Sanders clarified that he believes Israel has the right to respond to threats. “As I have said many, many times, Israel had the absolute right to respond to that horrific Hamas attack as any other country would,” he stated. However, he accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of conducting an offensive not just against Hamas but against the Palestinian people as a whole.

Support from Other Senators

Despite the overwhelming defeat of Sanders’ resolution, his stance found some support among other members of the Senate. Earlier in the week, Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, indicated her agreement with Sanders’ concerns. She asserted that the Biden administration’s failure to adhere to U.S. laws concerning arms shipments represents a significant misjudgment that undermines America’s credibility on the global stage.

“If this administration will not act, Congress must step up to enforce U.S. law and hold the Netanyahu government accountable through a joint resolution of disapproval,” Warren expressed in a statement to The Guardian.

Conclusion

The rejection of Sanders’ resolution reflects a significantly divergent view within the Senate regarding U.S. military support for Israel. While some, including Sanders and Warren, advocate for greater scrutiny and accountability, a vast majority of senators remain supportive of continued arms sales to the Israeli military. The outcome of this vote underscores the complex and often contentious nature of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding Israel and Palestine.

Fox News Digital’s Jessica Sonkin and Alec Schemmel contributed to this report.