Senate Democrats' bid to halt US weapon sales to 'Israel' falls short
3 Min Read
The resolution to halt arms sales to "Israel" garnered only around 20 votes in the 100-member Senate, with most Democrats joining Republicans to reject the measures.
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Protesters carry placards as they block the road in front of the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv on November 20, 2024 during a demonstration calling for an arms embargo. (AFP)
A group of Democratic senators failed in their attempt to block shipments of US weapons to "Israel" after several procedural motions were defeated in the Senate on Wednesday evening, shortly after the United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The effort, spearheaded by Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with President Joe Biden's Democratic Party, aimed to challenge "Israel's" ongoing war on Gaza.
Sanders accused the United States of being complicit in human rights atrocities, warning that continued support for "Israel" could undermine US credibility on other global issues.
"Nobody is going to take anything you say with a grain of seriousness," said the 83-year-old, who recently won re-election to another six-year term.
"They will say to you, 'You're concerned about China, you're concerned about Russia, you're concerned about Iran. Well, why are you funding the starvation of children in Gaza right now?'"
He introduced Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block the Biden administration’s recent $20 billion arms sale to "Israel". However, the resolutions garnered only around 20 votes in the 100-member Senate, with most Democrats joining Republicans to reject the measures.
The Biden administration has maintained strong support for "Israel" and fueled the genocide in Gaza, calling for restraint while continuing military aid. While US officials warned "Israel" that aid could be at risk if Gaza's humanitarian conditions did not improve, no assistance was withheld.
Republican Senator Mitch McConnell argued that halting aid would "only empower and embolden" groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
US says 'Israel' not violating Gaza aid law despite looming famine
In mid-November, the US announced that "Israel" has not violated US law regarding humanitarian aid entry into Gaza but stressed the need for additional efforts to improve the situation on the ground.
The assessment follows a letter sent last month by outgoing President Joe Biden's administration, in which Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed alarm over Gaza's humanitarian crisis and warned "Israel" of potential military aid consequences if aid flow benchmarks weren't met by November 13.
When asked if "Israel" had met the outlined criteria, State Department spokesman Vedant Patel claimed that no violation of US law had been determined.
"The overall humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be unsatisfactory," Patel said, but noted that recent actions by "Israel", though limited, are "steps in the right direction."
Benchmarks not met
The Biden administration's original letter demanded "Israel" allow at least 350 aid trucks per day into Gaza as part of broader aid benchmarks. Although this target was barely met, Patel claimed that "some progress" had been made, including new crossings into Gaza to facilitate aid deliveries.
He added that the US will keep assessing "Israel's" compliance with international law and may adjust its stance if substantial progress is not maintained.
"We want to see these steps sustained over a significant period of time, and ultimately, we want to see these steps have a tangible impact on the situation," Patel stated while reiterating the administration's commitment to ongoing evaluation.
