Unprecedented Senate Vote: Majority of Democrats Oppose US Arms Transfers to Israel

In a landmark vote on Wednesday night, a majority of Senate Democrats joined a failed but symbolic push to block the transfer of U.S. weapons to Israel - signaling a major shift in the political landscape around American support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Although the resolutions, introduced by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, were overwhelmingly voted down - with tallies of 73-24 and 70-27 - they marked the first time most Democrats backed measures to halt offensive weapons transfers to Israel. The proposals aimed to block a $675 million shipment of bombs and guidance systems, as well as 20,000 assault rifles.

All Republicans opposed the resolutions. But of the 47 senators who caucus with the Democrats (including two Independents), over half supported one or both efforts, reflecting growing discomfort with the Biden administration's approach to Israel's ongoing war on Gaza.

"This isn't just about weapons," Senator Sanders said on the Senate floor. "It's about accountability, about international law, and about the American people not wanting to fund humanitarian disasters."

Sanders cited the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act, which prohibit the transfer of arms to countries engaging in gross human rights abuses. He argued that continued U.S. support, without conditions, made Washington complicit in alleged war crimes.

Since October 2023, the United States has provided over $22 billion in military assistance to Israel, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University. As the death toll in Gaza mounts and famine looms, Democratic lawmakers are increasingly questioning the status quo.

States like Illinois, Maryland, and Georgia saw both of their senators vote in favor of at least one resolution - a remarkable development given their traditionally pro-Israel records. Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff, the chamber's youngest Jewish member, emphasized concerns over the weapons being handed to Israeli forces under far-right figures like Itamar Ben-Gvir, whom the Biden administration has criticized.

Internationally, the U.S. is becoming isolated in its stance. Sanders pointed out that France, Canada, and the U.K. have signaled willingness to recognize a Palestinian state, and 149 countries recently voted for a ceasefire and an end to Israel's aid blockade at the UN.

Though the resolutions were defeated, Wednesday's vote sends a clear signal: the political tide is shifting. For the first time in decades, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are drawing red lines over U.S. military support for Israel - and it may be just the beginning.