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Senate votes against Israel arms sales ban, despite growing Democrat support. Thoughts?

The Senate on Wednesday voted down a resolution to bar U. S. arms sales to Israel, exposing new divisions among Democrats and highlighting rising frustration with the country’s conduct in Gaza.

The first of two votes pushed by progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders — which came to 27-70 — renewed efforts to halt American weapons transfers in protest of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and a deepening humanitarian crisis. Democrats split on the vote, with 12 new supporters who previously backed arms sales to Israel.

This marks the third time Sanders has forced a Senate vote on halting Israeli arms sales since late 2024, each time citing the toll on Palestinian civilians.

One of Wednesday’s resolutions would have blocked the $676 million sale of 5,000 heavy duty bombs and 5,000 guidance kits for bombs. The other would have prohibited the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic assault rifles.

Sanders argued the arms transfers would “clearly violate” U. S. legal requirements for foreign military sales because Israel has used weapons provided by Washington to kill thousands of Palestinian civilians.

Source: https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/30/congress/sanders-israel-arms-sale-ban-vote-00484866

Senate votes against Israel arms sales ban, despite growing Democrat support. Thoughts?
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