The Senate rejected Senator Bernie Sanders’ attempts to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza, despite mounting civilian deaths in the region. Sanders, along with a small group of Democrats, put forward legislation to block the sale of tank and mortar rounds and smart-bomb kits to Israel, but their efforts were overwhelmingly rejected.
Sanders argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was conducting an all-out war against the Palestinian people, not just Hamas. The attempt to block the arms sales was seen as a test of broader frustration among Democrats at the ongoing war and President Joe Biden’s handling of relations with Israel.
The move to block arms sales came after a 30-day deadline set by the Biden administration for Israel to improve its treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza passed without meeting U.S. demands. Aid organizations reported that Israel failed to meet the U.S. demand to allow in an adequate number of aid trucks, worsening conditions for civilians in the region.
Despite calls from Democratic lawmakers to condition U.S. arms shipments to Israel on improved treatment of Palestinian civilians, Biden has continued to support Israel with military aid. Sanders argued that the flow of U.S. arms to Israel for the war violated U.S. law and undermined the country’s standing in the world.
The issue of military support for Israel has been politically divisive, with Republicans vowing to maintain unwavering backing for the country. President-elect Donald Trump, who will soon take office, has promised strong support for Israel and called for a quick end to the Gaza war, although specifics on his plans remain unclear.
The rejection of the measures to block arms sales signals ongoing support for Israel from the U.S. government, despite concerns about civilian casualties in Gaza. The situation highlights the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the challenges of balancing support for allies with humanitarian concerns.
