The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected two resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales to Israel over mounting civilian casualties in Gaza. Proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders, the measures failed with votes of 73-24 and 70-27 but gained more support than similar initiatives in April, which were defeated 82-15 and 83-15.
The resolutions sought to stop the sale of $675 million in bombs and 20,000 assault rifles to Israel. Despite a decades-long bipartisan tradition of supporting Israel, Sanders noted growing Democratic backing, saying, “The tide is turning. The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza.”
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who opposed Sanders’ resolutions earlier this year, voted in favor this time, criticizing Israel for failing to meet international humanitarian standards and restricting aid into Gaza. All Republican senators voted against the measures, with Senator Jim Risch arguing Hamas is responsible for the ongoing conflict.
The vote comes amid rising international pressure, as France and Canada announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state, while Britain signaled it may do the same at the U.N. General Assembly in September if the Gaza war continues.
Israel’s military campaign, launched after Hamas’ October cross-border attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has killed over 60,000 Palestinians, displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and fueled warnings of impending famine. Israel defends its actions as self-defense and accuses Hamas of using civilians as shields, a charge Hamas denies.
The escalating humanitarian crisis has intensified calls for Washington to reassess its military support to Israel, even as bipartisan divisions remain entrenched in Congress.