As the Biden administration pushes Congress to approve an additional $18 billion arms sale to Israel, Palestine defenders on Friday urged U.S. senators to support an effort by Senator Bernie Sanders to block weapons transfers to the key Middle Eastern ally. This move comes amid Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, which much of the international community considers genocidal.
The Biden administration is urging congressional lawmakers to sign off on the sale of a package involving as many as 50 McDonnell Douglas F-15 fighters, as well as munitions, training, and other support to Israel. The sale cleared a key hurdle last month when two holdouts—Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the ranking Democratic member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), the top Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democrat—agreed to support the transfer.
If given final approval, the sale would be one of the largest to Israel since it began its nine-month assault on Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led October 7 attacks. More than 137,500 Palestinians have been killed, maimed, or left missing by Israel’s onslaught, which is the subject of both an International Court of Justice genocide case and International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan’s bid to arrest Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar.
The Biden administration has approved billions of dollars in U.S. military aid and more than 100 arms sales to Israel since October. This is in addition to the nearly $4 billion Israel already receives from Washington annually.
“While much of the media is focused on the drama of the U.S. presidential election, we must not lose sight of what is happening in Gaza, where an unprecedented humanitarian crisis continues to get even worse,” Sanders said Friday. “Nine months into this war, more than 38,000 people have been killed and 88,000 injured—60% of whom are women, children, or elderly. The full toll is likely higher, with thousands more buried beneath the rubble.”
Sanders highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, stating, “Nine in 10 Gazans—1.9 million people—have been driven from their homes. Many people have been displaced four or five times, and most do not have homes to return to, with more than 60% of residential buildings damaged or destroyed.”
“Israel continues to restrict the entry of [United Nations] humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza, prevent the entry of key humanitarian items, and obstruct aid workers’ access to many areas,” the senator noted. “These restrictions have prevented aid organizations from setting up a sustained, effective response.”
Sanders stressed, “Yet, in the midst of this horror and violations of international law, the United States continues to send billions of dollars and thousands of bombs and other weapons to support this war. We, as Americans, are complicit.”
“We must end our support for Netanyahu’s war. Not another nickel to make this horrific situation even worse. I intend to do everything I can to block further arms transfers to Israel, including through joint resolutions of disapproval of any arms sales. The United States must not help a right-wing extremist and war criminal continue this atrocity.”
Palestine defenders backed Sanders’ effort. “Every single senator should be supporting Sen. Sanders’ upcoming joint resolution of disapproval against an $18 billion weapons giveaway to Israel, which would further enmesh and implicate the U.S. in Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza,” Institute for Middle East Understanding policy director Josh Ruebner said on social media.
The proposed arms sale comes amid a conflict that has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza. Since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, more than 38,000 people have been killed, and 88,000 injured, with 60% of the casualties being women, children, or elderly. The humanitarian crisis has displaced 1.9 million people, with many having been displaced multiple times and more than 60% of residential buildings damaged or destroyed.
Restrictions imposed by Israel have further exacerbated the situation, limiting the entry of United Nations humanitarian aid trucks and preventing the entry of key humanitarian items. Aid workers have faced obstacles in accessing many areas, hindering efforts to provide relief and support to the affected population.
International reactions have included legal actions such as the International Court of Justice genocide case and International Criminal Court investigations. Statements from international leaders and organizations have condemned the violence and called for a ceasefire.
As the Biden administration seeks congressional approval for the arms sale, the political landscape in the U.S. is divided. While some lawmakers support the sale, others, led by Sanders, are pushing back, citing the humanitarian crisis and potential violations of international law.
The debate over the arms sale to Israel underscores the broader issue of U.S. military aid and its implications for international conflicts. Sanders and his supporters argue that continued support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza implicates the U.S. in the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis.
“Increasing protections for the Western Arctic is crucial for preserving our climate, wildlife, and the traditional ways of life for Indigenous communities,” said Simmonds. “We look forward to continued efforts to protect this vital region.”
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