The US Senate has voted down two resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales to Israel, despite growing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza and the territory’s dire humanitarian situation. The resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, received 73 to 24 and 70 to 27 votes in the 100-member chamber, falling short of passage.
Although the resolutions failed, Sanders expressed optimism, noting that the majority of Democrats supported the measures. “The tide is turning. The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza,” Sanders said, highlighting growing concerns over the humanitarian impact of the conflict. He added, “The Democrats are moving forward on this issue, and I look forward to Republican support in the near future.”
The vote saw a stark partisan divide, with all Democratic votes in favor of the resolutions and Republican lawmakers opposing the measures. Twenty-seven Democrats voted for a resolution to block the sale of 20,000 automatic assault rifles to Israel, while 24 voted to halt a $675m shipment of bombs.
Senator Patty Murray, who supported Sanders’ bid, stated, “As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy.” Murray emphasized that Netanyahu has prolonged the war to stay in power and that the situation in Gaza is a man-made famine, with children and families dying from starvation and disease despite tons of aid and supplies being available across the border.
The widening split over support for Israel among Democrats comes amid signs of growing opposition to the war in Gaza among the US public. A recent Gallup poll showed that only 8% of self-identified Democrats approve of Israel’s actions in Gaza, compared to 71% of Republicans. The resolutions’ failure underscores the ongoing debate in the US about its role in the conflict and the impact of its military aid to Israel.
This is not the first time Sanders has introduced resolutions to block arms sales to Israel. In April, his bid to block weapons deliveries won the support of 15 Democrats, while a similar vote in November garnered 18 Democratic votes. The recent vote marks the closest the US Senate has come to limiting arms shipments to Israel.
The outcome reflects the complexities of US politics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where bipartisan consensus on key issues remains challenging. Lawmakers like Sanders are pushing for greater accountability and a more nuanced approach to US foreign policy in the region. The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with reports of starvation deaths and a growing humanitarian crisis.
