Senate Rejects Sanders’ Attempt to Halt Arms Sales to Israel
In a significant political move, Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont, faced a substantial setback on Wednesday evening as the U.S. Senate decisively voted against his resolution aimed at blocking specific arms sales to Israel. The proposal garnered support from fellow Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) but ultimately failed with a vote of 79-18 against halting the sale of tank rounds and 78-19 against stopping mortar round shipments.
Criticism of Israeli Government Actions
During his address on the Senate floor, Sanders expressed strong disapproval of the current Israeli administration, characterizing it as being dominated by “right-wing extremists” and “religious zealots.” He emphasized that it was imperative for the U.S. government to communicate clearly with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration regarding its use of American taxpayer funds and military equipment in ways that contravene both U.S. law and international standards.
Sanders pointed out that despite receiving $18 billion in aid from American taxpayers over the past year alone, Israel has largely disregarded repeated appeals from President Biden and other officials for restraint.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The senator also highlighted dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza during his speech. He painted a grim picture: “Currently, raw sewage flows through Gaza’s streets while residents struggle to find clean drinking water,” he stated. Furthermore, he noted that all twelve universities in Gaza have been bombed along with numerous schools; electricity has been absent for over thirteen months.
Acknowledgment of Israel’s Right to Defend Itself
While condemning certain actions taken by Israel’s government, Sanders acknowledged that Israel had every right to respond forcefully following Hamas’s attacks. “No one here disputes that right,” he remarked before asserting that Netanyahu’s government is not merely targeting Hamas but is engaged in broader hostilities against Palestinian civilians.
Despite this overwhelming rejection by the Senate regarding arms sales restrictions, there remains some support for Sanders’ stance within Congress. Earlier this week, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) voiced her agreement with Sanders’ position on suspending arms shipments due to legal concerns surrounding their use.
Warren criticized what she termed as a failure by the Biden administration: “The lack of action undermines America’s credibility globally,” she stated emphatically during an interview with The Guardian.
Call for Congressional Action
In light of these developments, Warren urged Congress to take decisive steps if executive action does not materialize: “If this administration will not act accordingly under U.S. law,” she said firmly,” then Congress must intervene through resolutions aimed at holding Netanyahu accountable.”
This ongoing debate reflects deep divisions within American politics regarding foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine—a topic increasingly scrutinized amid rising tensions in the region.
As discussions continue about how best to navigate these complex issues involving military aid and humanitarian concerns—especially given recent escalations—lawmakers are likely facing mounting pressure both domestically and internationally concerning their positions on such critical matters.
Pratardan Mishra is a passionate Content Writer and Web Developer with a deep commitment to nationalism and political advocacy. Specializing in national issues, he utilizes expertise in writing to craft compelling narratives that champion patriotic values and engage politically minded audiences.