Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has repeatedly attempted to halt the sale of U.S. weapons to Israel, citing humanitarian concerns. His efforts, however, have consistently failed in the Senate.
In late September, nearly a year after Hamas’ October 2023 attack that triggered Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, Sanders introduced three resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales valued at around \$20 billion. The conflict has since resulted in over 43,000 reported deaths.
The Senate overwhelmingly rejected each measure. S.J. Resolution 111 was struck down by a vote of 18 to 79, S.J. Resolution 115 by 17 to 80, and S.J. Resolution 113 by 19 to 78. These margins highlighted the chamber’s strong bipartisan support for continuing arms transfers to Israel.
Sanders has frequently criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of violating international law, imposing severe restrictions on aid delivery, and using excessive military force in Gaza. He argues that Israel has gone far beyond its right to self-defense.
The blocked resolutions specifically targeted the transfer of U.S. tank rounds, water rounds, and precision guidance kits used in bombings across Gaza. Sanders and his allies sought to curtail weapons that have contributed to widespread civilian casualties.
At a press conference with Senators Peter Welch, Chris Van Hollen, and Jeff Merkley, Sanders declared that the United States is “complicit” in the humanitarian crisis by continuing to provide Israel with such weaponry.
Despite repeated failures, Sanders has continued introducing similar measures, though none have gained traction. Each effort has been met with decisive rejection in the Senate.
The persistence of these votes underscores both Sanders’ commitment to challenging U.S. military support for Israel and the political difficulty of altering America’s longstanding alliance with the country.
