In a dramatic Senate vote this week, three bills introduced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, which sought to block a significant U.S. arms sale to Israel, were soundly defeated. The proposed arms deal, valued at approximately $20 billion, would have provided Israel with additional military supplies amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a situation that has garnered significant international attention.
The timing of Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) comes just a year after Hamas launched its deadly attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza escalated dramatically, with the Gaza Health Ministry estimating that more than 43,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations. The situation in Gaza has worsened, with the United Nations warning of an impending famine as more than 2 million Palestinians face dire food insecurity and “extremely critical” levels of hunger.
Sanders’ Final Appeal
In his passionate plea on the Senate floor, Sanders strongly criticized the U.S. government’s support for the ongoing Israeli military actions. He argued that the provision of U.S. arms to Israel was exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and violating international law. Sanders called on his fellow senators to recognize the U.S.’s complicity in what he described as “mass starvation” and widespread destruction in Gaza.
“I am deeply concerned about the role the United States is playing in this crisis,” Sanders said. “The U.S. is complicit in the deaths of thousands, and we are funding a war that is causing unspeakable suffering. It is time for the U.S. to stop enabling Israel’s actions and to stand for peace, not perpetual violence.”
Despite Sanders’ impassioned appeal, the resolutions were voted down by the Senate with a decisive 79-18 vote. The vote was expected given the strong bipartisan support for Israel in the U.S. Senate, where many lawmakers continue to back the Jewish state, especially in the context of its security concerns.