Senate rejects Bernie Sanders resolution on Israeli human rights practices
The Senate Rejects Measure to Freeze U.S. Aid to Israel Amidst Divisions within Democratic Party
The Senate on Tuesday voted against a measure proposed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) that would have halted U.S. aid to Israel unless a report on alleged human rights abuses in Gaza was commissioned by the Biden administration. The resolution, which received a 72-11 vote against it, serves as a strong rebuke to progressive members who have been demanding conditions on U.S. aid following the recent attack by Hamas on October 7. However, it also highlights the divisions within the Democratic Party during the ongoing Israeli counteroffensive that has resulted in numerous casualties in Gaza.
Despite the majority of Democrats joining Republicans in tabling the measure, it still garnered support from nearly a dozen senators, mostly Democrats, with the exception of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Sen. Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats, filed the resolution as privileged under a provision of the Foreign Assistance Act that had never been used before. This allowed him to attempt to bring the resolution to the Senate floor for a vote with a simple majority threshold, bypassing the need for consent from the majority leader.
Republicans have seized upon this divide within the Democratic Party as a political weapon. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) dismissed the measure as a “performative” stunt that would hinder a close ally in their fight against terrorists. However, Sanders defended the resolution as a modest request for information in his floor speech before the vote.
President Joe Biden shares some of Sanders’s concerns, denouncing what he describes as indiscriminate bombing by Israel while acknowledging the need to combat Hamas forces. The White House, however, cautioned that now is not the right time for the resolution, as Israel plans to transition to a less intensive phase of the conflict.
The vote took place on the 100-day anniversary of the October 7 attack, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people at the hands of Hamas terrorists. Over 100 civilians remain held captive. On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and a bipartisan group of senators will commemorate the anniversary by hosting hostage families at the Capitol.
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How does the rejection of Sen. Sanders’ proposal reflect the divisions within the Democratic Party regarding US aid to Israel
Lowing the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The vote highlights the divisions within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. aid to Israel, with some progressive members pushing for accountability and human rights considerations, while others maintain the importance of supporting a key ally in the Middle East.
Sen. Sanders, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, argued that the U.S. should not blindly support Israel without addressing the alleged human rights abuses in Gaza. He contended that conditioning aid on human rights considerations would encourage a more balanced approach in the region. However, his proposal was met with resistance from both sides of the aisle.
Many Republicans and some moderate Democrats argued that cutting off aid to Israel would undermine its security and hinder the prospects of a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They emphasized the importance of supporting Israel, a nation facing numerous threats in a volatile region.
Opponents of the measure also pointed out that the proposed resolution was one-sided, focusing solely on alleged human rights abuses by Israel. They argued that it failed to address the actions of Hamas, a militant group responsible for launching rockets into Israeli territory and escalating the recent conflict.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Majority Leader, voiced his opposition to the resolution, stating that it would undermine Israel’s security and hinder the peace process. Many senators echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach that takes into account the complexities of the region.
The overwhelming rejection of this measure by the Senate demonstrates the prevailing sentiment that U.S. aid to Israel should remain unconditional. Despite calls for increased scrutiny and accountability, the majority of senators believe that continuing to support Israel is crucial for regional stability and American national interests.
This vote underscores the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party concerning foreign policy, particularly when it comes to Israel. While more progressive members advocate for change and accountability, the establishment wing of the party remains committed to the longstanding relationship between the United States and Israel.
Moving forward, it is likely that discussions on the conditions of U.S. aid to Israel will continue. Progressive members of Congress and advocacy groups will likely push for more transparency and accountability in how U.S. taxpayer dollars are allocated and used. At the same time, supporters of the current aid structure will continue to stress the importance of unwavering support for a key ally in the Middle East.
The rejection of Sen. Sanders’ proposal highlights the complexity and sensitivity surrounding the issue of U.S. aid to Israel. As the situation in the Middle East evolves, it remains to be seen how the Democratic Party and the wider political landscape will navigate the topic of conditioning aid to Israel in the future.
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