The US Senate recently rejected resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel, including the sale of 50 F-15IA aircraft and various weapons systems. The resolutions, which aimed to prevent the sale of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), tank cartridges, enhanced weapons parts, and military vehicles, were brought forth by Sanders as a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
On the first resolution, which sought to block the sale of JDAMs and related military equipment, only 18 senators supported it, while 79 opposed it. The second resolution, calling for a halt to the sale of F-15IA fighter jets and associated parts, was rejected by a 19-78 vote. The third resolution, which addressed the sale of upgraded weapons kits for existing F-15 aircraft, received the support of just 17 senators.
Bernie Sanders, an outspoken critic of US military aid to Israel, argued that the sales of these weapons violated international law and US policy. He has long maintained that such arms transfers, particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, are morally indefensible. Sanders has frequently voiced concerns over Israel’s military actions in Gaza, accusing the Israeli government of violating international human rights and humanitarian laws. He emphasized that US law prohibits the provision of weapons to nations involved in human rights violations, making such sales to Israel, in his view, illegal.
The issue of military sales to Israel comes at a particularly sensitive time. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to a surprise rocket attack from Hamas, which infiltrated the southern border and engaged both military forces and civilians. Over 1,200 Israelis were killed during the raid, which prompted Israel to launch Operation Iron Swords in retaliation. In the aftermath of the attack, Israel imposed a complete blockade on the Gaza Strip, which led to devastating consequences for the Palestinian population.
Since the onset of the conflict, the death toll in Gaza has skyrocketed, with local health authorities reporting over 43,900 deaths due to Israeli airstrikes and military operations. The scale of the destruction in Gaza, coupled with Israel’s extensive military responses, has drawn widespread international condemnation. Critics argue that the heavy toll on Palestinian civilians, particularly in Gaza, constitutes a violation of human rights and international law.
Senator Sanders’ resolutions were part of a broader effort to push for a reassessment of US foreign policy, especially regarding arms sales to Israel. Sanders has often been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, and his stance on US military aid to Israel has sparked significant debate within the Senate and among the American public. He has repeatedly called for a reevaluation of the US-Israel relationship, suggesting that American taxpayers should not be funding a military apparatus that he believes exacerbates human suffering in Gaza.
The rejection of these resolutions marks a clear division within the Senate over the issue of military support for Israel. While some lawmakers, including Sanders, believe that halting arms sales is a necessary step in ensuring accountability for the loss of life in Gaza, others maintain that military aid to Israel is critical for its security, particularly in the face of ongoing threats from Hamas and other militant groups in the region.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the US Senate’s decision not to block the sale of advanced military equipment to Israel highlights the broader geopolitical tensions at play. While Sanders and his allies continue to call for a shift in US policy, the Senate’s vote reflects the deep divisions in Washington over the US’s role in the Middle East and its support for Israel amid the ongoing crisis.
