Senate Rejects Sanders’ Resolutions to Block Arms Sales to Israel

The vote marks the first congressional attempt to halt U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, highlighting a growing divide within the Democratic Party.

Senator Bernie Sanders introduced three resolutions to block $1 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel, citing violations of international law and human rights in Gaza.
The Senate overwhelmingly voted against the measures, with all Republicans opposing and most Democrats joining them, though 19 senators supported at least one resolution.
The Biden administration and Democratic leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, lobbied against the resolutions, despite growing public opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel.
The resolutions were the first of their kind targeting Israel, which has received $310 billion in U.S. military aid since its founding, and faced long odds of passing or overriding a likely presidential veto.
The votes come as international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, accuse Israeli leaders of war crimes in Gaza, where over 100,000 people have reportedly been killed during a yearlong conflict.