WASHINGTON — Senator Bernie Sanders is preparing several resolutions that would halt the sale of more than $20 billion in U.S. weapons to Israel, a long-term effort but the most substantial congressional pushback yet to the destruction in Gaza before the first birthday of the war between Israel and Hamas.
In a letter to his Senate colleagues on Wednesday, Sanders said the U.S. “cannot be complicit in this humanitarian disaster.” The move would ultimately force a vote to block arms sales to Israel, though it is highly unlikely that the majority will approve the proposal.
“Much of this carnage in Gaza has been perpetrated with U.S.-supplied military equipment,” Sanders (I-Vt.) wrote.
As the war heads into its second year, and with the outcome of the presidential election Joe Bidens attempts to a ceasefire and release of hostages uncertain, Sanders’ resolutions would be aimed at reining in the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attack on Gaza. The war has killed a number of people 41,000 people in Gaza after the surprise Hamas attack on October 7, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel, and kidnapped 250 others, with militants still numbering around 100 hostages.
While it is doubtful that the politically divided Senate would approve the measures, the move is intended to send a message to the Netanyahu regime that its war effort undermines longstanding bipartisan U.S. support for Israel. Sanders said he is working with other colleagues on the measures.
Key Democratic Party senators include: Pushing the Biden Administration to end the war between Israel and Hamas and alleviate the humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza, where homes, hospitals, schools and entire Palestinian families are being exterminated.
Sanders’ resolutions would halt sales of rocket launchers, tank shells and other weapons, some of which have been blamed for the worst of the destruction in Gaza, and new fighter jets. Congress had temporarily halted some arms sales to Israel earlier this year as lawmakers sought to warn of the rising death toll.
Netanyahu was invited to speak to the US Congressand he delivered a combative speech making public the growing divisions in the US over his war efforts.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnsona Republican, initiated the invitation to Netanyahu, but several Democrats boycotted the speech. Many prominent Democratic leaders were critical of the tone and content of the Israeli prime minister’s speech to Congress.
Under Senate rules, once Sanders introduces the resolutions next week, he can almost immediately force a vote for consideration. The measures are being introduced as a joint resolution of disapproval of arms sales, a mechanism that allows Congress to oversee foreign affairs.
Sanders said he would have some support for his proposal. But it is not expected to get a majority, 51 votes, in the Senate to pass.
In the House of Representatives, blocking Israeli arms sales would be even more difficult, as Republicans hold the majority there and largely support Netanyahu’s handling of the war with Hamas.