Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has continued his efforts to block arms sales to Israel, with the latest vote expected Thursday. This comes after previous attempts since December 2023, as he seeks to test the stance of Senate Democrats on the issue of military aid to the Jewish state. Sanders, an independent who typically aligns with Senate Democrats, has announced he would force a vote on two resolutions: one to block the $67,500,000 sale of thousands of bombs and guidance kits for them, and another to halt the sale of tens of thousands of automatic rifles to Israel.
“U.S. taxpayers have spent tens of billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government,” Sanders stated, emphasizing his belief that the situation has reached a critical point, and that more needs to be done to address the ongoing issues within the conflict. His latest initiative follows recent photos depicting starving children in Gaza, which he has directly attributed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The timing of the vote is significant, as Senate Democrats have experienced a shift in their position on Israel since the events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out a devastating attack on Israeli soil.
Sanders’ previous attempt, which sought to block over $8 billion in arms sales, saw 15 Senate Democrats support the resolution, while all Senate Republicans opposed it. Despite the likely failure of the resolution, it is anticipated that more Democrats will align with him compared to previous votes. The Senate has seen an increase in support for the resolution, which has been met with criticism from Republicans who argue that the issue is more complex and requires a balanced approach. Meanwhile, the issue of humanitarian aid in Gaza remains a topic of significant discussion, with some senators urging for a greater expansion of aid to the region. As the vote approaches, the political landscape continues to evolve, with implications for the broader debate on foreign policy and military engagement in the Middle East.