In a historic vote, the U.S. Senate narrowly defeated three Joint Resolutions of Disapproval introduced by independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, aimed at halting a $20 billion arms sale to Israel. Proposed in late September—one year after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel—the resolutions sought to limit U.S. military support amid a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Senator Sanders’ proposals emerged as the Gaza Health Ministry reported staggering casualties from Israel’s military operations, with estimates exceeding 43,000 deaths. United Nations officials warned of impending famine, as over 2 million Palestinians faced critical hunger levels.
In a passionate Senate speech, Sanders urged his colleagues not to ignore the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza, warning that U.S. support for arms sales could contribute to “mass starvation.” He called for accountability, stating, “The United States is complicit in these crimes.”
Despite his impassioned plea, Sanders’ resolutions failed to gain traction, ultimately falling by a vote of 18 to 79. The strong pro-Israel sentiment in
