Sen. Bernie Sanders is taking a stand against the devastation in Gaza by preparing resolutions aimed at preventing over $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel. Despite the unlikely possibility of getting majority approval, Sanders emphasizes that the U.S. cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where destruction largely occurs with weapons supplied by the U.S. Sanders aims to restrain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offensive in Gaza, as the conflict approaches a second year with grim statistics of casualties on both sides.
These resolutions are intended to signal to the Netanyahu government that America’s bipartisan support for Israel is wavering due to its actions in the war-torn region. While some Senate Democrats are advocating for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Sanders is focusing on blocking missile systems, tank rounds, fighter jets, and other weapons sales to Israel, which have contributed to significant destruction in the area. Earlier this year, some arms sales to Israel were delayed as a cautionary measure against the escalating death toll.
The rift within U.S. politics over Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict was highlighted when Netanyahu addressed the U.S. Congress earlier this year, drawing criticism from various Democratic leaders. Looking ahead, Sanders plans to swiftly advance these resolutions for consideration in the Senate, aiming to act as a check on the arms sales through the mechanism of a joint resolution of disapproval. While Sanders anticipates support for his proposal, it is uncertain whether there will be enough Senate votes to pass it, and the House, where Republicans hold the majority, poses an even greater challenge for blocking arms sales to Israel.
