The Senate voted against three resolutions led by Sen. Bernie Sanders to block offensive weapons sales to Israel, with bipartisan opposition. Sanders argued that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government has violated human rights and blocked humanitarian aid. Some Democrats, including Sen. Ed Markey and Sen. Martin Heinrich, supported the resolutions, while Sen. Tammy Baldwin abstained. Other Democrats and all Republicans voted against the resolutions, with Republicans like Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Bill Cassidy arguing that limiting Israel’s ability to defend itself helps its enemies. In the midst of the conflict, progressive critics of the Biden administration have called for an end to the conflict and slammed the White House’s alliance with Israel. Israel’s government has argued that it must destroy Hamas to prevent future attacks like the one in 2023. More than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, with health officials in Gaza noting that more than half of the casualties are women and children. The Senate votes indicate continued support for Israel’s right to defend itself, despite criticism from some Democrats.
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Senate blocks Bernie Sanders’ attempt to limit weapons sales to Israel
