Axios - Scoop: Sanders seeks to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel

Stephen Neukam
15 mins ago -
Politics & Policy



Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will force votes on resolutions to block more than $20 billion in offensive aid to Israel next week, multiple sources told Axios.

Why it matters: Sanders' resolutions will almost certainly be defeated on the Senate floor, but they will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against Israel's war effort in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.

-Sanders has long been a leading critic of the Israeli government and U.S. support for its war in Gaza.
-The resolutions that Sanders will raise next week would block the Biden administration from sending billions of dollars in offensive aid to Israel.
-The Biden administration has been reluctant to withhold arms, and announced Tuesday that it would not enforce its ultimatum to cut aid if humanitarian conditions in Gaza did not improve.

The big picture: The Sanders resolution will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against the Israeli war in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.

-Sanders was joined by Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in introducing the resolutions to block the arms sales.
-The aid that would be blocked includes tank munitions, F-15IA aircrafts and mortars, if all the resolutions were to be passed.
-Sanders is forcing the vote at the same time that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is planning to pass a bill that would crack down on antisemitism on college campuses.

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