Senate Rejects Bid to Block Arms Sales to Israel Amid Rising Civilian Deaths in Gaza

The Senate voted against blocking arms sales to Israel despite calls to address civilian casualties in Gaza amid ongoing conflict.

40 minutes ago

This story was last updated 40 minutes ago

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Summary

The Senate overwhelmingly rejected attempts by Sen. Bernie Sanders and a few Democrats to block U.S. arms sales to Israel, despite rising civilian casualties in Gaza. Citing the humanitarian crisis, Sanders argued Israel's military actions violate human rights. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the White House opposed the resolutions, emphasizing continued military support for Israel as vital. The bipartisan rejection of these resolutions reflects continuing tensions within the Democratic Party and highlights complexities in U.S. foreign policy amidst the ongoing conflict that has claimed nearly 44,000 lives in Gaza.

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Left Perspective

  • Despite significant opposition from the Democratic establishment and the White House, Bernie Sanders' initiative to block US arms sales to Israel revealed the urgent calls from progressive Democrats for accountability concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing a growing divide within the party.

  • The resolutions aimed at stopping arms sales to Israel were framed as a moral obligation in light of grave humanitarian violations, with Sanders stressing that US-made weapons are complicit in the escalating civilian casualties—reaching over 43,000 in just one year.

  • The defeat of the resolutions in the Senate marked a clear indication of ongoing bipartisan support for military aid to Israel, even as progressive lawmakers like Elizabeth Warren voiced concerns regarding the administration's handling of military assistance amidst humanitarian law violations.

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Right Perspective

  • The overwhelming Senate rejection of efforts led by Bernie Sanders to block arms sales to Israel reaffirmed bipartisan commitment to support Israel, reflecting a significant clash within the Democratic Party regarding military assistance and U.S. policy in the Middle East.

  • While some Democrats showed dissent, the majority stood united in defending Israel, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer underscoring that U.S. support for Israel is vital for regional stability and contradicting the narrative of human rights violations as a justification for blocking arms sales.

  • Critics of Sanders argued that halting arms sales would only embolden Hamas, defining the resolutions as misguided attempts that could undermine U.S.-Israel relations and potentially lead to greater instability in the region under the influence of adversaries like Iran.

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