US Senate to consider measures blocking some arms sales to Israel

The US Senate is set to vote on Wednesday on legislation that would block arms sales to Israel, backed by lawmakers who say Israel is blocking the delivery of much-needed aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. has been An independent who caucuses with Democrats. Strong bipartisan support for Israel means that resolutions are not expected to pass, but supporters hope they will encourage the Israeli government and President Joe Biden’s administration to take more steps to protect civilians in Gaza. Most of the population of Gaza2.3 million people have been displaced and the enclave is at risk of famine. Gaza health officials say more than 43,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s 13-month-old offensive. Two resolutions, co-sponsored by Democratic senators Jeff Merkley and Peter Welch, would ban the sale of 120mm mortar rounds and joint direct attack. Ammunition (JDAMS). A third, sponsored by Democratic Senator Brian Schatz, would ban the sale of tank rounds. JDAM tail kits, which convert a standard unguided bomb and GPS-guided system into a guided weapon using fins, are made by Boeing. Almost entirely with American weapons and 18 billion American taxpayer dollars, Israel has reduced the American supply. 2,000-pound bombs were thrown into crowded neighborhoods, killing hundreds of civilians to drive out a handful of Hamas fighters, and made little effort to distinguish between civilians and combatants,” Sanders said in a statement. Israel has killed 1,200 people and taken more than 250 hostages since an October 2023 attack by Hamas-led gunmen. Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Monday that he supports joint resolutions of disapproval, as did Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren last week.US law gives Congress the power to block major foreign arms sales by passing impeachment resolutions. Although no such resolution has passed Congress and escaped a presidential veto, the law requires the Senate to vote if a resolution is filed. Such resolutions sometimes lead to angry debates that put past presidents to shame.