He United States Senate rejected this Wednesday, by a large majority, three resolutions proposed by the independent senator Bernie Sanders that sought to block the sale of certain types of weapons to Israel.
Con 79 votes againstthe initiatives included banning the sale of 120mm tank ammunition, 120mm high-explosive mortar ammunition, and kits to convert unguided bombs into precision weapons.
Sanders denounced in plenary that these weapons have been used with “devastating effects against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon.” However, he stressed that the proposed restrictions would not affect Israel’s ability to defend itself.
In a previous press conference, the senator stated that Israel has the right to respond to the attack by the Hamas terrorist group on October 7, 2023but criticized the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for waging “a war not only against Hamas, but against the Palestinian people.”
During his speech, he highlighted that “the most painful thing is that most of what is happening is done with American weapons and with the money of the American taxpayer.” Furthermore, he described the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “apocalyptic.”
Despite the criticism, the Biden Administration has maintained its policy of support for Israel.
A letter previously sent by the Secretaries of State and Defense, Antony Blinken y Lloyd Austinsuggested conditioning American support on alleviating suffering in Gaza. However, after the 30-day deadline established in October, no changes in support for Israel have been announced.
“We would expect there to be some consequences when things get even worse,” the senator said. Chris Van Hollen before the vote. Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch also joined Sanders’ call.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumerexpressed his “firm” opposition to the measures.
“Israel needs to protect itself, not only today, but also tomorrow, next year and beyondSchumer said. “It has been a pillar of American policy to provide Israel with the resources it needs to defend itself against its enemies. We must not deviate from that policy.”
The Republican senator Lindsey Graham He also spoke out against the initiatives. “This will be seen by the enemies of Israel and the enemies of peace as a sign that if they stand firm they will win,” he said.
Sanders and centrist and progressive Democratic lawmakers have made repeated attempts for more than a year to convince the White House and to Congress to condition the arms shipments to Israel with greater respect for Palestinian civilians.
The Biden administration has intensified its warnings and calls for Netanyahu to do more to protect civilians and allow more assistance into Gaza.
Outside of suspending a planned shipment of 2,000 pound bombsBiden has rejected calls to limit military support for Israel.
Republicans have expressed their strong support for Netanyahu and will have a majority in both houses of Congress next year, when Donald Trump assume the presidency.
The close to 18 billion dollars that the United States has sent in military support to Israel during the war were a divisive issue in the presidential campaign, in which Republicans promised to maintain uninterrupted support for Israel.
Trump has pledged strong support for Israel and urged Netanyahu to quickly end the war in Gaza.
(With information from EFE and The Associated Press)
