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Bernie Sanders pushes resolutions to block US weapons sales to Israel
TL;DR
Senator Bernie Sanders is set to propose resolutions to block $151.8 million in bomb sales and $295 million in bulldozer sales to Israel, highlighting shifting Democratic support for the U.S. ally. This vote will test the depth of backing for Israel among Senate Democrats amid rising discontent among voters.
Key points
- Bernie Sanders proposes blocking military sales to Israel
- Resolutions include $151.8 million in bombs and $295 million in bulldozers
- Vote tests Democratic support for Israel amid voter discontent
- 80% of Democrats view Israel negatively according to recent survey
Mentioned in this story
Bernie SandersDemocratsIsraelBenjamin Netanyahu
An attempt set for Wednesday by senator Bernie Sanders to block sales to Israel of bombs and bulldozers will serve as the latest litmus test of support for the longtime US ally among Democrats.
Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, plans to call up for a vote a resolution halting a $151.8m sale of 12,000 1,000lb bombs to Israel’s military, as well as a second resolution that would prevent the sale of $295m in bulldozers.
It will be the fourth time Sanders has forced consideration of resolutions cutting off military aid for Israel in the Senate, but all have been rejected by the chamber’s Republican majority, and many Democrats.
Wednesday’s vote could nonetheless serve as an indicator of the depth of support for Israel among the chamber’s Democrats, who are grappling with souring sentiment among their voters towards prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct in the invasions of Gaza and southern Lebanon, and its collaboration with Donald Trump in the the conflict with Iran.
“Let us be clear: given the horrific and illegal behavior of the Netanyahu government over the last three years, the American people have had enough. Support for Israel in this country has plummeted,” Sanders said ahead of the vote, citing a Pew Research Center survey released this month finding that 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans view the country negatively.
He went on to describe the vote as an opportunity for Congress to “stand up to” the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), which has spent tens of millions influencing races in the lead up to the 2024 US elections, and continues to spend heavily ahead of the November midterms.
“Maybe, just maybe, the Senate should start listening to their constituents and not just to the wealthy individuals who fund Aipac. And that is what today’s vote is all about,” Sanders said.
Support for resolutions introduced by Sanders addressing weapon sales to Israel may be on the upswing among Senate Democrats. A first batch of measures won the support of 18 Democrats in November 2024, but only 15 members of the caucus supported similar measures last April. In July of last year, 27 Democrats backed another batch of resolutions.
Q&A
What resolutions is Bernie Sanders proposing regarding Israel?
Bernie Sanders is proposing resolutions to block the sale of $151.8 million in bombs and $295 million in bulldozers to Israel.
How much military aid is being considered for Israel in the Senate vote?
The Senate vote considers halting a $151.8 million sale of bombs and a $295 million sale of bulldozers to Israel.
What is the current sentiment among Democrats towards Israel?
Recent surveys indicate that support for Israel among Democrats has declined, with 80% viewing the country negatively.
Why is the vote on military aid to Israel significant?
The vote is significant as it reflects the changing attitudes of Senate Democrats towards Israel, particularly in light of recent actions by Prime Minister Netanyahu.
