Sanders pushes for gun restrictions – The Forward

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on November 19, 2024. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

By Jacob Kornbluh
November 21, 2024

In a closely watched vote Wednesday, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected three resolutions that sought to impose restrictions on U.S. arms sales to Israel. But the result revealed a growing divide within the Democratic Party over the policies of Israel’s right-wing government and the U.S. response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The measures led by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont — blocking the $20 billion sales deal on tank shells, high-explosive mortar shells and joint direct attack munitions — were supported by at least 17 Democratic senators, representing more than a third of the caucus. Support for a once marginal position in Congress. Jewish Senator Jon Ossoff of Georgia voted for only two resolutions but opposed blocking common munitions for direct attacks.

In his remarks before the vote, Sanders emphasized that the resolutions were aimed only at preventing the use of offensive weapons against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. “They would not affect any of the systems Israel uses to defend itself against incoming attacks,” he said.

Still, it failed resoundingly, with only 19 senators voting for any of the three resolutions.

Why the Senate vote on Israel matters

A few years ago, this level of support for even modest restrictions on arms sales to Israel would have been unthinkable. Wednesday’s vote, supported by some liberal Jewish organizations, signaled growing concerns about the Israeli government’s policies and underscored Democrats’ willingness to challenge the historic bipartisan consensus on unconditional support for Israel in the Gaza war place.

This shift also reflects increasing frustration with President Joe Biden. Progressive Democrats have criticized Biden for not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accused his administration of giving Netanyahu’s government a “blank check” despite growing concerns about human rights abuses. Pro-Palestinian activists and leaders of the ceasefire movement have called for a full arms embargo in recent months.

A recent pre-election poll found that 62% of Jewish voters were willing to support the US supply of some weapons to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

J Street, the liberal pro-Israel and peace lobby, encouraged senators to support at least one of the resolutions to send a message of disapproval. The group called the result “a symbolic but deeply meaningful” vote “for a relationship in which the U.S. can hold Israel accountable for its actions and the use of the weapons we provide in the same way we hold U.S. laws.” “Enforce security assistance for all other U.S. recipients.”

The Senate vote underscored the delicate balancing act Biden is trying to accomplish — unwavering support for Israel’s security while addressing growing concerns within his party over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Although the administration suspended a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, it has avoided isolating Netanyahu or conditioning U.S. military aid.

AIPAC and the White House Resistance

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other Democratic-leaning pro-Israel groups hailed the Senate’s rejection of the resolutions as a reaffirmation of strong bipartisan support for Israel. AIPAC said its members have made calls to members of Congress and sent more than 1.2 million emails in recent weeks to reduce support for the effort. An action alert was added to thank those who voted no and to “express your disappointment in those” who voted for the resolutions.

“The Democratic Party stands with Israel as it faces serious security threats from Iran and its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah,” the Jewish Democratic Council of America said in a statement.

The Biden administration actively lobbied senators against the resolutions, saying restricting arms sales would undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas and other threats. “Now is the time to focus pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and end the war,” the White House memo said. “Abolishing Israel’s weapons would put that goal even further out of reach and would prolong, not shorten, the war.”

Biden’s stance marked a sharp departure from the final months of the Obama administration, which broke with tradition in 2016 by supporting a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, saying it did not require the release of hostages still held there as a prerequisite.

Where was Chuck Schumer?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer boasted that support for Israel remained bipartisan under his leadership and that his caucus had always supported aid to Israel. Earlier this year, Schumer told Jewish Democrats: “I have always tried to be ‘Shomer Yisrael’ in the Senate – someone who will guard and guard America’s crucial partnership with Israel.”

Schumer reportedly urged senators to reject a slowdown in the delivery of military equipment to Israel. In remarks on the Senate floor, the Democratic leader said the resolutions were “the wrong path and the wrong strategy” to address the conflict. “It has been a cornerstone of American policy to give Israel the resources it needs to defend itself against its enemies,” he said. “We should not deviate from this policy today.”

But the Republican Jewish Coalition criticized Schumer for refusing to seek votes against it, calling it “shameful.”

Senator JD Vance, who as vice president could influence the Trump administration’s Israel policy, was not present for the vote.