U.S. weapons sales/ Gaza war arms halt/ Sanders pushes Israel arms block/ Senate resolutions against Israel/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Senator Bernie Sanders is preparing resolutions aimed at blocking over $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel, citing the devastation in Gaza. While unlikely to pass, the move represents the most significant congressional pushback on U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Sanders aims to send a message that U.S. support is wavering amid growing humanitarian concerns.
Sanders Targets U.S. Arms Sales to Israel: Quick Looks
- Resolution Details: Bernie Sanders seeks to halt over $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel, calling for accountability over Gaza civilian deaths.
- Congressional Pushback: While the resolution is unlikely to pass, it signals growing concerns among lawmakers over U.S. complicity in the Gaza conflict.
- Weapons Involved: The sales include missile systems, tank rounds, and fighter jets—some blamed for severe destruction in Gaza.
- Bipartisan Divide: Sanders’ effort highlights eroding bipartisan support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s military actions.
Bernie Sanders Moves to Block $20B in US Arms Sales to Israel Over Gaza Conflict
Deep Look:
Senator Bernie Sanders is spearheading a new legislative push to halt U.S. arms sales to Israel, valued at over $20 billion, as the war between Israel and Hamas grinds toward its second year. In a letter to his Senate colleagues on Wednesday, Sanders called for the U.S. to stop being “complicit in this humanitarian disaster,” referring to the mounting civilian death toll in Gaza. The Vermont independent is preparing resolutions that, if passed, would block the sale of missile systems, tank rounds, and new fighter jets to Israel—arms that have been used in the ongoing conflict.
This push comes as President Joe Biden continues efforts to broker a cease-fire and negotiate the release of hostages held by Hamas. However, Sanders and a growing number of Democrats are voicing frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military strategy, which has led to the deaths of approximately 41,000 people in Gaza, following Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel last year that killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others abducted. Around 100 hostages are still being held by Hamas.
Although the politically divided Senate is unlikely to pass the resolutions, Sanders’ actions represent the most significant congressional opposition to U.S. military support for Israel since the war began. Sanders is working with fellow senators on the resolutions, framing them as a moral imperative to stop U.S. arms from contributing to further devastation in Gaza. “Much of this carnage in Gaza has been carried out with U.S.-provided military equipment,” Sanders wrote in his letter.
The resolutions would halt the sale of various weapons systems to Israel, including those that have drawn particular concern for their role in the destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, such as homes, hospitals, and schools. Earlier this year, Congress temporarily paused some arms sales to Israel in response to mounting concerns over the rising civilian death toll.
Netanyahu’s previous address to Congress earlier this year, invited by House Speaker Mike Johnson, received mixed reactions, with several Democrats boycotting the event. Netanyahu’s combative speech highlighted growing U.S. political divisions over Israel’s military tactics, as many Democratic leaders publicly criticized both the tone and content of his address.
Under Senate rules, Sanders can force a vote on his resolutions shortly after they are introduced, likely next week. The resolutions would take the form of a joint resolution of disapproval—a mechanism that allows Congress to exercise oversight over foreign arms sales. While some Democratic senators are expected to back the proposal, it faces long odds of reaching the 51 votes necessary for Senate passage.
The situation in the House is even less favorable for Sanders’ resolutions, as the Republican-led chamber has largely supported Netanyahu’s military approach and is unlikely to back efforts to block the arms sales. With Republicans in control, Sanders’ proposals would face significant hurdles in gaining traction.
Despite the steep odds, Sanders’ resolutions are a clear attempt to send a message to Israel that its war effort in Gaza is eroding the strong bipartisan support it has historically enjoyed in the United States. As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, pressure on U.S. lawmakers to reconsider their position on arms sales to Israel may continue to grow.
