Senate Rejects Sanders’ Bid to Block $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
In a decisive show of bipartisan support for U.S.-Israel relations, the Senate on November 20, 2024, overwhelmingly rejected three resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders aimed at halting a $20 billion arms sale to Israel. The proposed sale includes advanced tank rounds, mortar rounds, and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), weapons that critics say could exacerbate civilian casualties in Gaza.
The measures fell well short of passage, with only 19 senators — 17 Democrats and 2 independents — voting in favor. The outcome underscored Israel’s deep reservoir of backing in Congress, even amid heightened scrutiny of its military actions and their humanitarian toll during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Background on the Resolutions
Senator Sanders, a long-standing critic of Israeli policy in Gaza and an outspoken advocate for human rights, introduced the resolutions in response to mounting reports of civilian deaths. According to humanitarian organizations and media accounts, thousands of Palestinians — including women and children — have been killed or displaced during Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas militants.
Addressing the Senate floor, Sanders argued that American weapons should not be used in ways that violate international law or worsen humanitarian crises.
“The United States has a moral responsibility to ensure that its weapons are not used to perpetuate humanitarian crises,” Sanders said, urging lawmakers to end the “blank-check approach” to U.S. military aid to Israel.
Bipartisan Pushback
Sanders’ effort met strong resistance from both parties. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a consistent supporter of Israel, framed the arms sale as vital to national security.
“Israel is a vital ally, and its security is non-negotiable,” Schumer declared, citing the need for Israel to defend itself against Hamas rocket attacks.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) reinforced this view, stating that ensuring Israel’s military readiness was essential while acknowledging the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.
“We must stand with Israel, but we must also work towards a peaceful resolution that ensures the safety of all civilians,” Cardin said.
White House Alignment with Congress
The Biden administration opposed Sanders’ resolutions, aligning itself with congressional leaders who view Israel’s security as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. In a statement, a White House spokesperson reaffirmed Washington’s “unwavering” support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
“These arms sales are critical to ensuring Israel can respond effectively to threats while maintaining its qualitative military edge in the region,” the spokesperson said.
Administration officials also stressed that the U.S. is working to mitigate humanitarian suffering in Gaza through aid facilitation and diplomatic pressure on Israel to limit civilian harm during operations.
The Senate’s rejection of Sanders’ measures sends a clear signal: despite growing dissent from progressive lawmakers, the political consensus in Washington remains firmly in favor of sustaining — and, when necessary, expanding — military support for Israel.