Senate Nears Weighing Proposal to Block Arms Sales to Israel

Legislation offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., to block the sale of certain offensive U.S. weapons to Israel will be considered on the Senate floor the week of Nov. 18, the lawmaker said Nov. 13.

Sanders accused Israel of waging a “barbaric war against the Palestinian people in Gaza." He said the U.S. “cannot continue to be complicit in this war by supplying more military aid and weaponry” to the Israeli government.

In September, Sanders introduced six joint resolutions of disapproval that would block the sale of more than $20 billion in U.S. military equipment to Israel (see 2409300064).

Separately, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, said Nov. 14 that Congress should restrict the flow of offensive weapons to Israel if the Biden administration does not take such action. She said a suspension of arms shipments is warranted because, she believes, Israel has failed to allow enough humanitarian aid into Gaza despite prodding by the administration.