The US Senate has blocked a bill to halt the sale of some US-made weapons to Israel over concerns about the human rights catastrophe faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Seventy-nine of the 100 senators opposed the resolution to block the sale of tank ammunition to Israel, while 18 voted in favor and one voted present. All votes in favor of the bill Wednesday came from the Democratic caucus, and “no” votes came from both Democrats and Republicans.
The Senate was scheduled to vote later Wednesday on two other resolutions that would halt the shipment of GPS guidance systems for mortar shells and bombs.
The Joint Disapproval Resolution (JRD), introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders in September, would block the Pentagon from sending an additional $20 billion to Israel, which continues its deadly attack on Gaza. at least 43,000 people.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's extremist government has not only waged war against Hamas, it has waged war against the Palestinian people,” Sanders said at a press conference Tuesday ahead of the vote. ” he said.
“Much of what's happening there is being done with American weapons and American taxpayer support,” Sanders continued, noting that the United States has provided Israel with more than $18 billion in military aid and more than 50,000 tons of military aid. It added that it had provided weapons and military equipment to the country.
“The United States is complicit in these atrocities, and this complicity must end.”
rest A floor resolution blocking the sale of 120mm mortar rounds and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMS) would need to pass both the Senate and House with a simple majority. If you pass, you will go to the president.
Efforts to stem the flow of arms to Israel, led by Mr. Sanders, are undercutting a U.S.-imposed deadline of Nov. 12 for Israel to expand humanitarian aid and allow at least 350 trucks a day into the Gaza Strip. It began in response to Israel's failure to protect itself. Despite Israel's failures, the United States took no action.
Under U.S. law, military aid cannot be given to foreign security forces that commit human rights abuses. But the Biden administration has largely refused to halt arms transfers to Israel, despite persistent condemnation of war crimes by human rights experts.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren voiced support for the resolution and criticized the Biden administration for failing to take action against Israel for failing to meet deadlines for aid to Gaza.
“The Biden administration's failure to follow U.S. law and halt arms shipments is a serious mistake that undermines America's credibility globally,” Warren said in a statement. “If this administration fails to act, Congress must step up to enforce U.S. laws and hold the Netanyahu government accountable through a joint resolution of disapproval.”
This is not the first time Sanders has led such an effort, and the latest one is not expected to pass. But supporters hope that significant support in the Senate will prompt the Israeli government and President Joe Biden's administration to do more to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip.
At least some of the resolutions received strong support, according to the legislative director for Middle East foreign policy at the Friends Committee National Legislative Committee, a Quaker political lobbying group.
Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, a co-sponsor of the resolution, said he opposed the transfer of assault weapons used in bombings that caused “massive deaths, mass injuries, mass destruction.” .
“I stand before you today as someone who has spent his life defending Israel’s economic success and its security in a very difficult region of the world,” Merkley said, adding, “But “The Netanyahu government has followed outdated policies,” he added. They have American values. ”
65% or more housing, school and medical facility According to UN data, it was destroyed by Israeli forces. all 12 universities According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, there has been damage and destruction in the territory. The United Nations too estimate Approximately 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million Palestinians have fled. Local humanitarian groups have reported malnutrition and hunger, and global food security experts say famine is imminent in northern Gaza.
spokesperson for oxfama British non-governmental organization providing aid to displaced people in the region, “The Senate votes to finally halt arms transfers to Israel as the northern Gaza governorate sees the crisis continue to escalate with impending famine and warnings that entire communities will be wiped out forever.” must be carried out.
“Israel is blocking humanitarian aid while using U.S. weapons in attacks that have killed thousands of children, aid workers, and journalists, and destroyed critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and clean water. They are destroying and displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza, where nowhere is safe. ”
More than a year has passed since Hamas's surprise and deadly attack on October 7 last year. Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas have repeatedly failed.
Report contributed by Reuters
