The Senate on Tuesday evening shot down a resolution introduced by progressive senator Bernie Sanders that would have potentially suspended U.S. aid to Israel.
The measure, which Sanders forced a vote on, would have made military assistance to Israel conditional on whether the Israeli government was proven to be in violation of human rights in its conflict with Hamas. Under the proposal, the State Department would have to submit a report within 30 days assessing whether Israel used weapons provided by the U.S. to commit human-rights violations in the territory.
A majority of senators rejected the resolution, with 72 lawmakers including Democrats and Republicans opposing and eleven in favor. The dissenters were a group of progressives who have objected to President Biden’s support for Israel since it was brutally invaded by Hamas in October, when 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 people were taken hostage.
“While there is no question in my mind that Israel has the right to defend itself and go to war against Hamas, who started this terrible situation, Israel does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people and innocent men, women, and children in Gaza,” Sanders said on the Senate floor. “Tragically, that is what we’re seeing.”
Sanders has urged Congress to consider the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza as Israel fights to eliminate Hamas, noting the hefty death toll among civilians, including women and children. The resolution from Sanders is in line with his recent comments in which he blasted Israeli president Benjamin Netanyahu for pursing a military course of “indiscriminate bombing” despite Biden’s pleading against it.
“He has been very clear,” Sanders said of Biden’s recent recommendation for some restraint. “He has expressed his concern. . . . You cannot give billions of dollars to a country that ignores your wishes, violates international law. So I would hope the president follows through on his concerns.”
Sanders on Sunday suggested that young people especially are now jaded by Biden’s pro-Israel stance, and that he should “change course” with his reelection in mind.
“There is no question that it will be hard for young people, I think for most Americans, to be excited about what is going on right now,” Sanders responded. “The president has got to change course.”
Sanders has slowly moderated his defense of Israel, moving from rejecting progressives’ call for a cease-fire in November to now stating that Israel is ravaging Gaza. On Sunday, Sanders also advocated for a pause in fighting so supplies such as food and water can get to the Strip.