WASHINGTON — A Wednesday Senate vote revealed deepening divisions within the Democratic Party over military support for Israel, as more than three dozen Democrats backed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ push to stop weapons sales to the nation.
Sanders introduced two measures aimed at blocking American sales of bulldozers and bombs to Israel. While both failed — losing by votes of 40-59 and 36-63 — the Vermont Independent has consistently brought these issues to the floor to pressure colleagues from both parties to oppose Netanyahu’s government.
The number of Democrats supporting Sanders’ position has more than doubled in under two years, reflecting growing party tensions over Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, along with increased pressure from progressive activists who view Israel support as a key political test.
“It’s clear that Democrats are beginning to listen to the average American who is sick and tired of spending billions of dollars to support Netanyahu’s horrific wars when people in this country can’t afford housing or health care,” Sanders stated following the vote.
Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly switched his position to support both measures after previously opposing similar Sanders initiatives. Kelly explained his reasoning during floor remarks, citing concerns about current leadership decisions.
“Under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government, we’ve seen an expanded war in Lebanon that is putting innocent Lebanese civilians at risk, and ongoing violence against Palestinians and their homes being demolished in the West Bank,” Kelly said. “All of this has undermined the path forward for peace.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, voted against the proposals. Their positions prompted protests Monday when nearly 100 demonstrators were arrested outside their offices, demanding support for Sanders’ measures.
Jewish Voice for Peace organized the demonstration, with hundreds initially attempting to occupy the senators’ offices before being blocked by authorities. Communications director Sonya Meyerson-Knox said “The majority of Americans and New Yorkers want a resolution to what the Israeli government is doing.”
Earlier Wednesday, Democrats also supported a separate resolution to end Trump’s military action in Iran, though it too failed 47-52. Delaware’s Chris Coons, who opposed Sanders’ Israel measures but supported ending the Iran conflict, clarified his position afterward.
“My votes should be taken neither as an endorsement of the actions of the Netanyahu government nor as an abandonment of the state of Israel, the Jewish people, or the US-Israel relationship,” Coons explained in a statement.
Republican senators argued the votes could damage American interests in the Iran conflict. Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch of Idaho warned the measures might encourage Iran and “send the message that the U.S. is prepared to leave our ally Israel vulnerable.”
“They will not help the United States of America,” Risch said before the voting began.
