The U.S. Senate voted decisively on Wednesday to reject three resolutions aimed at preventing the transfer of certain U.S. weapons to Israel. These resolutions were introduced by progressive lawmakers who expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians in Gaza.

All votes in favor originated from the Democratic caucus, while opposition came from both Democratic and Republican senators, highlighting the internal divisions within President Biden’s Democratic party regarding its stance on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.

Seventy-nine out of 100 senators opposed a resolution that sought to block the sale of tank rounds to Israel, with 18 in favor and one senator voting present. A second resolution aimed at halting the shipment of mortar rounds faced similar results, with 78 against, 19 in support, and one present vote. The third resolution, which would have prevented the shipment of joint direct attack munitions (JDAMS) kits, saw 80 votes against, 17 in favor, and one present.

These “resolutions of disapproval” were introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who aligns with the Democrats, and were co-sponsored by several Democrats who have criticized the treatment of civilians amid the conflict.

Given the long-standing tradition of strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, the resolutions were unlikely to succeed. However, their proponents hoped that substantial backing in the Senate would prompt both the Israeli government and the Biden administration to take further action to safeguard Palestinian civilians.

Sanders introduced six resolutions aimed at allocating approximately $20 billion in military aid to Israel, but only three were brought to a vote this week.

The Biden administration expressed its opposition to these resolutions. In a communication to Democratic senators, it outlined 11 key points, emphasizing that military support for Israel is crucial for its long-term security amid threats from Iran and other sources. The administration also highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance conditions in Gaza.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and the region is facing a potential famine, more than a year into the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Health officials in Gaza report that over 43,922 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s military actions.

Sanders argued that the military assistance to Israel contravenes U.S. laws that prohibit arms sales to nations that violate human rights, pointing to the significant number of casualties among children and elderly Palestinians, and accusing Israel of obstructing humanitarian aid.

“It is time to inform the Netanyahu administration that they cannot utilize U.S. taxpayer funds and American weaponry in ways that breach U.S. and international law, as well as our ethical standards,” Sanders stated during a Senate address prior to the vote.

Critics contended that the timing of the resolutions was ill-advised, given the threats posed by militant organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as Iran, Israel’s longstanding adversary.

“Israel is encircled by adversaries intent on its destruction,” stated Chuck Schumer, the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, during a speech prior to the votes. This moment may have represented the final opportunity to halt any arms sales before Republican President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.

A significant number of U.S. Muslims cast their votes against Trump’s Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the recent presidential election, attributing their decision to the administration’s backing of Israel. However, during his first term, Trump was a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration.

Israel claims it has been making efforts to meet humanitarian needs, asserting that the primary issue with aid deliveries stems from challenges related to U.N. distribution. The Israeli embassy in Washington did not provide a response this week regarding inquiries about Senator Sanders’ resolutions.

President Biden, whose term concludes in January, has been a strong advocate for Israel since the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli reports.

Last month, the Biden administration informed Israel that it had 30 days to enhance the flow of aid to Gaza or face potential repercussions regarding U.S. military support. Following this period, Washington announced on November 12 that it had determined Israel had made progress and was not currently obstructing aid to Gaza, a conclusion disputed by many aid organizations.

U.S. law empowers Congress to halt significant foreign arms sales through resolutions of disapproval. While no such resolution has successfully passed both Congress and survived a presidential veto, the law mandates a Senate vote if a resolution is introduced. These resolutions have occasionally sparked contentious debates that have been politically damaging for previous presidents.