Sanders to Test Democratic Support for Israel Amid Controversy
An effort by independent Senator Bernie Sanders to block the sale of bombs and bulldozers to Israel is scheduled for a vote on Wednesday, marking a significant test of Democratic support for the longstanding US ally amid tensions related to former President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran.
Sanders, who caucuses with the Senate Democrats, intends to bring forward a resolution to halt a $151.8 million sale of 12,000 1,000-pound bombs to the Israeli military. Additionally, he will introduce a second resolution aimed at preventing the sale of $295 million worth of bulldozers to Israel.
This marks the fourth occasion Sanders has pushed for Senate consideration of resolutions to cut off military aid to Israel. However, previous efforts have been defeated by the Republican majority in the Senate, along with opposition from many Democrats.
Despite past rejections, the upcoming vote is expected to provide insight into the level of support for Israel among Senate Democrats, who are currently navigating shifting opinions among their voter base. This shift is influenced by criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions during the invasions of Gaza and southern Lebanon, as well as his cooperation with Donald Trump concerning the conflict with Iran.
Sanders Highlights Declining Support for Israel
In anticipation of the vote, Sanders emphasized the changing public sentiment towards Israel, citing recent research.
"Let us be clear: given the horrific and illegal behavior of the Netanyahu government over the last three years, the American people have had enough. Support for Israel in this country has plummeted," Sanders stated, referencing a Pew Research Center survey released earlier this month indicating that 80% of Democrats and 41% of Republicans hold a negative view of Israel.
He further described the vote as an opportunity for Congress to challenge the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which has invested tens of millions of dollars in shaping electoral races ahead of the 2024 US elections and continues to exert influence before the November midterms.
"Maybe, just maybe, the Senate should start listening to their constituents and not just to the wealthy individuals who fund AIPAC. And that is what today’s vote is all about," Sanders added.
Growing Democratic Support for Resolutions
Support for Sanders’s resolutions addressing weapons sales to Israel appears to be increasing among Senate Democrats. In November 2024, an initial set of measures garnered backing from 18 Democrats, compared to 15 in April of the same year. In July of the previous year, 27 Democrats supported similar resolutions.
Within the House of Representatives, some progressive lawmakers have advocated for a complete halt to military aid to Israel, including defensive systems such as the Iron Dome missile shield.
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently stated that she would not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and US law. Fellow progressive Representative Ro Khanna expressed a nuanced position in an interview, saying:
"I do believe Iron Dome is important in terms of saving lives. Israel can buy it with their own money."
Activism and Pressure on Democratic Senators
Groups opposing Israel’s policies have intensified efforts to persuade Democrats to support the upcoming resolutions.
On Monday, dozens of protesters were arrested outside the New York City offices of Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat. Demonstrators urged the senators to vote in favor of Sanders’s resolutions.
Neither Senator Gillibrand nor Senator Schumer supported previous measures. However, Schumer did call for Netanyahu to resign as prime minister two years ago.
Last week, a coalition of progressive organizations including Indivisible, MoveOn, J Street, and Jewish Voice for Peace sent a letter to senators urging support for halting weapons sales. The letter framed the vote as:
"an opportunity to send a clear message that senators oppose any continuation of the war with Iran."
The groups raised "urgent legal and moral concerns" regarding the sale of the 1,000-pound bombs, noting that these munitions have been used in densely populated areas in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, resulting in significant documented civilian casualties. They also highlighted the bulldozers’ use in large-scale demolition operations affecting homes, civilian infrastructure, and entire neighborhoods in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, contributing to forced displacement and de facto annexation.
Additional Senate Actions on Iran Conflict
Separately, Senate Democrats are expected to push for a vote on a war powers resolution aimed at preventing former President Trump from continuing hostilities against Iran. Although such measures have been employed as a means to pressure the administration to end an unpopular conflict, they have historically been defeated by Republican opposition.
