Bernie Sanders moves to block $20B arms sales to Israel

Senator Bernie Sanders is preparing to introduce several resolutions aimed at blocking over $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel, marking a significant congressional response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This initiative comes as the Israel-Hamas war approaches its second year, with a staggering death toll of approximately 41,000 in Gaza following the conflict that began with a Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel. Sanders has expressed that the U.S. must not be complicit in the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza, where U.S.-provided military equipment has been implicated in the destruction. The resolutions are intended to challenge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military actions and signal a shift in bipartisan support for Israel, which has been eroding due to the war's devastating impact on civilians. While the likelihood of passing these resolutions in the politically divided Senate is low, Sanders aims to send a clear message to the Netanyahu administration regarding the consequences of its military strategy. Key Senate Democrats are also advocating for an end to the conflict and addressing the humanitarian crisis, particularly in Gaza, where civilian infrastructure has been severely damaged. The proposed measures would halt the sale of various military equipment, including missile systems and fighter jets, which have been criticized for contributing to the humanitarian crisis. In the House, the challenge to block these arms sales is even greater, given the Republican majority's support for Netanyahu's approach to the conflict.