The Senate rejected an attempt led by Sen. Bernie Sanders to halt planned US weapons sales to Israel, underscoring bipartisan support for military assistance to Israel despite criticism from the left. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, triggered by a terror attack, has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the US being Israel's primary military supplier.
Sanders, while acknowledging Israel's right to respond to attacks, criticized the Israeli government's handling of the war and called for an end to US complicity in the atrocities in Gaza. The White House opposed the resolution to block arms sales, emphasizing the need to hold terrorists accountable for civilian suffering.
Despite efforts by independent and Democratic senators to block specific arms sales, the Senate failed to advance three resolutions of disapproval. The sales of tank rounds, high-explosive mortar rounds, and JDAMS were rejected, with concerns raised about their indiscriminate use causing civilian casualties in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian advocacy groups viewed the Senate votes as a significant shift within the Democratic Party, signaling a growing awareness of the impact of US weapons in the conflict. While the resolutions did not succeed, the debate highlighted the complexities of US support for Israel amid escalating violence in the region.
Looking ahead, the incoming Trump administration's strong support for Israel, as evidenced by the nomination of Mike Huckabee as US ambassador, raises questions about the future direction of US policy in the Middle East. With a Republican-controlled House and Senate, the dynamics of US-Israel relations are likely to face further scrutiny and debate.
