U.S. Senate Rejects Measure to Halt Arms Sales to Israel Amid Growing Dissent
On July 31, 2025, a significant vote in the U.S. Senate aimed to stop military equipment sales to Israel failed despite a record number of supportive votes, highlighting a shift in sentiment among some lawmakers. Senator Bernie Sanders introduced the measure, which received backing from 27 Democratic senators. However, it faced strong opposition, with 70 senators voting against the resolution, including all Republicans and 17 Democrats, reports 24brussels.
The resolution was part of an ongoing debate about U.S. foreign military assistance amidst growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Sanders expressed disappointment on social media, stating, “By a vote of 27-17, Senate Democrats voted to stop sending arms shipments to a Netanyahu government which has waged a horrific, immoral and illegal war against the Palestinian people.”
The measure aimed to prohibit a $675.7 million arms sale by the U.S. government, which included 201 MK 83 bombs and thousands of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits, intended for precision strikes. A second proposal to block the sale of assault rifles also failed, indicating a challenging environment for those advocating for a reassessment of U.S. military aid to Israel.
Sanders’ press release stated that existing arms sales violate both the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, noting the documented use of such weapons in conflicts resulting in civilian casualties. “The rifles will equip a police force overseen by Itamar Ben-Gvir, known for his extremist views and prior convictions for supporting violence,” the statement read. His statements sought to emphasize the continued violence against Palestinians and the need for accountability.
Despite the failure of these resolutions, Sanders claimed that “the tide is turning” as public sentiment increasingly opposes U.S. complicity in actions that contribute to violence and humanitarian crises abroad. The incidents of violence in the West Bank, resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians and Americans, have raised concerns over U.S. military policies within the context of international humanitarian law.
The outcomes of these votes and the growing dissent within the Congress reflect a larger discourse about U.S. involvement in international conflicts and the moral implications of arms sales to nations engaged in military actions recognized as controversial by many global observers.
