The US Senate decisively rejected three resolutions Wednesday night that sought to block specific weapons sales to Israel, according to NBC News. The measures, spearheaded by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, faced strong bipartisan opposition.
The resolutions, which targeted sales of tank rounds, mortar rounds, and bomb guidance kits for use in Gaza, were defeated by significant margins, with 78, 79, and 80 senators voting against the respective measures, NBC News reported.
Prior to the vote at 8 p.m., Sanders took to X to criticize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating he "has violated international & US law, violating human rights and blocking humanitarian aid."
In his Senate floor speech, Sanders emphasized that the resolutions "would not affect any of the systems Israel uses to defend itself from incoming attacks," focusing instead on offensive weapons.
This evening, I voted to reaffirm the United States' commitment to the people of Israel and to ensure they have the resources to defend themselves from Iran and their terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.
I will always stand proudly to support our strongest ally.
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) November 21, 2024
"As I have said many, many times: Israel had the absolute right to respond to that horrific Hamas attack, as any other country would. I don't think anybody here in the United States Senate disagrees with that," Sanders said. "But Prime Minister Netanyahu's extremist government has not simply waged war against Hamas. It has waged an all-out war against the Palestinian people."
Several Democrats openly opposed the resolutions. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada declared on X that she "will always stand proudly to support our strongest ally." Her colleague, Senator Jacky Rosen, echoed this sentiment, stating that "Israel is our ally in the Middle East & we must do everything we can to help it defend itself."
While Israel is being attacked on all fronts, it should not be under attack in the halls of Congress.
Israel's enemies are our enemies.
Instead of blocking key weapons, we must provide Israel with the tools to demolish Iran-backed Hamas and send a clear message to Tehran.
— Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) November 21, 2024
Republicans unanimously opposed the resolutions. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa wrote on X, "While Israel is being attacked on all fronts, it should not be under attack in the halls of Congress." Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana added on the platform that "Limiting Israel's ability to defend itself helps its enemies."
Israel maintains that destroying the Hamas terror organization is essential to prevent attacks similar to the Oct. 7 massacre, where terrorists killed 1,2000 Israelis and kidnapped over 250. As of Nov. 21, 101 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, 36 of whom have been declared dead.
