Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led a press conference with three other senators on Tuesday to discuss their plans to vote in support of resolutions to block several weapons sales to Israel.
Sanders said the Senate will vote on Wednesday on three separate resolutions he introduced, known as joint resolutions of disapproval, that seek to block the sales of 120mm tank rounds, 120mm mortar rounds, and JDAM bomb kits.
Sanders was joined by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who have co-sponsored the resolutions. Making his case for the resolutions, Sanders pointed to US foreign assistance laws that prohibit military aid to countries that intentionally block humanitarian aid and commit human rights violations using US weapons.
“Israel is clearly in violation of these laws,” Sanders said. “Under these circumstances, it is illegal for the US government to provide them with more offensive weaponry. Joint resolutions of disapproval are Congress’s tool to enforce those laws.”
Sanders noted that the levels of aid entering the Gaza Strip are at the lowest point yet. “The result — and let’s be very clear about this — the result is that many, many thousands of children are facing malnutrition and starvation,” he said.
Sen. Welch said what’s “unfolding before our very eyes right now is mass starvation and the spread of disease. Is the United States and its foreign policy… forced to be blind to the suffering before our very eyes?”
The resolutions don’t have a chance of passing, but the vote will provide a record of senators who support continuing to arm Israel amid its genocidal war. The vote will come as Israel is openly conducting an ethnic cleansing campaign in northern Gaza, which has involved a complete siege on the cities of Beit Lahia, Beit Hanoun, and Jabalia, where no aid has entered since early October.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD), the incoming Senate majority leader, took aim at Sanders’ resolutions in comments on Tuesday where he vowed the Senate will make clear the US “stands squarely” behind Israel when Republicans takeover in six weeks.
“For the past year plus, Democrats have struggled to support our ally Israel,” Thune said. “For example, we are expecting tomorrow Sen. Sanders to offer a resolution denying lethal aid to Israel. The refusal to have our allies’ back and the refusal to call out antisemitism in our own country has consequences.”
Thune said that he will prioritize introducing a bill to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other pro-Israel legislation. “So to our allies in Israel and to the Jewish people around the world, my message to you is this: reinforcements are on the way.”
