19 Democrats Buck Party Line to Continue Israel Arms Sales as Gaza Criticism Mounts
Progressive Push Falls Short as Majority of Democratic Caucus Opposes Bernie Sanders' Arms Embargo Resolutions
The U.S. Senate rejected two progressive-led resolutions Wednesday aimed at blocking arms sales to Israel, with 19 Democratic senators joining all 49 Republicans to defeat measures that would have halted over $675 million in weapons transfers amid escalating international criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The votes marked a significant fracture within the Democratic Party, as 27 Democrats supported at least one resolution to restrict arms sales—the largest number to date opposing military aid to Israel during the current conflict.
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who sponsored the resolutions alongside Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Peter Welch of Vermont, forced the votes as part of an ongoing campaign to pressure the Trump administration to reconsider its military support for Israel. The first resolution, which would have blocked the sale of tens of thousands of assault rifles, failed by a vote of 72-27, while the second resolution targeting $675 million in bombs and guidance systems was defeated 70-24.
Sanders Frames Vote as Moral Test
During floor debate preceding the votes, Sanders delivered an impassioned speech characterizing Israel's military campaign as exceeding legitimate self-defense objectives. "Let us be clear, this is not an effort to win a war. This is an effort to destroy a people," Sanders declared, according to DawnNews English coverage of the proceedings.
The Vermont senator cited mounting international pressure on Israel, noting that "France and Canada have said that they will recognize a Palestinian state. The United Kingdom has said it will do so as well if Israel does not immediately end this war and surge humanitarian aid." Sanders emphasized that "at the UN last month, 149 countries voted for a ceasefire resolution condemning the use of starvation as a weapon of war."
The resolutions specifically targeted two major arms deals: a $675 million package including 201 MK 83 1,000-pound bombs, 4,799 BLU-110A/B General Purpose bombs, and thousands of guidance kits, plus a separate shipment of 20,000 fully automatic assault rifles.
Key Democratic Defectors Signal Growing Party Divide
Among the most significant developments was the support from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who had previously opposed similar Sanders resolutions in April but reversed her position. "While Israel has the right to protect its citizens, it is evident that the Government of Israel has not conducted military operations with the care required by international humanitarian law," Shaheen stated, according to Reuters.
The shift by Shaheen, a historically pro-Israel moderate, "helped open up the support of other moderates," according to Axios analysis. Her vote represented a significant crack in the traditional bipartisan consensus supporting Israeli military aid.
Notable Democrats who broke with party leadership to support the arms restrictions include several senators who had not previously backed such measures. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) voted against the resolutions, maintaining their support for continued arms sales.
Republicans Unite in Opposition Amid Broader Trump Administration Support
Every Republican senator present voted against both resolutions, maintaining unified party support for Israel's military aid. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, attributed the Gaza crisis to Hamas, stating, "It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist organization destroyed," according to Reuters.
The Republican opposition aligns with the Trump administration's broader Middle East strategy, which has included substantial increases in military aid to Israel and controversial proposals for Gaza's future. The administration has approved nearly $12 billion in major Foreign Military Sales to Israel since taking office, creating what some analysts describe as unprecedented military dependency relationships.
Growing International Pressure Influences Democratic Positions
The Senate votes occurred against a backdrop of mounting international criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza, with multiple allies threatening diplomatic consequences. Britain, France, and Canada have all indicated they will recognize Palestinian statehood if Israel fails to improve conditions in Gaza and commit to long-term peace negotiations.
According to Context Corner reporting, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated dramatically, with over 60,000 Palestinian deaths reported and widespread hunger threatening the territory's 2.1 million residents. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation suspended all aid distribution operations indefinitely due to security concerns, exacerbating the crisis.
These international developments appear to be influencing Democratic senators' calculations. Maine Independent Senator Angus King, who typically votes with Democrats, announced this week he would no longer support Netanyahu's government because Israel appears to be "using starvation as a weapon of war," according to Politico.
Public Opinion Shifts Challenge Traditional Pro-Israel Consensus
The Senate votes reflected broader changes in American public opinion regarding Israel's military operations. A recent Gallup poll shows only 32% of Americans approve of Israel's military action in Gaza—a 10-point drop since September—with approval among Democrats falling to just 8% compared to 71% among Republicans.
The dramatic partisan divide in public opinion appears to be translating into congressional voting patterns, with more Democratic senators willing to challenge traditional pro-Israel positions. "This resolution is absolutely necessary because the United States will have no credibility in the international community if we don't stand up against this," Sanders argued during floor debate.
The growing opposition represents a significant shift from earlier votes on Israel aid, when only 10 Democrats supported similar measures in January. The increase to 27 Democrats supporting arms restrictions in Wednesday's votes demonstrates the party's evolving position on Israeli military operations.
Strategic Implications for U.S.-Israel Relations
Despite the growing Democratic opposition, the failed resolutions underscore that bipartisan support for arming Israel remains intact, though potentially weakened. The 70-27 and 72-24 vote margins indicate that efforts to restrict Israeli arms sales still face substantial obstacles in Congress.
However, the increasing number of Democratic defectors signals potential challenges for future military aid packages, particularly if humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The precedent of senior Democrats like Shaheen reversing their positions suggests the coalition supporting unrestricted arms sales may be more fragile than previously assumed.
The Trump administration continues to advance substantial military cooperation with Israel, including $627 million allocated for U.S.-Israel cooperation in the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act. Of this amount, $500 million will support missile defense systems, including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow systems.
Future Votes and Political Calculations
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the Democratic Party's internal divisions over Israel policy may become more pronounced. The 27 Democrats who supported arms restrictions represent more than half of the party's Senate caucus, suggesting potential majority support for future efforts to limit military aid.
Sanders has indicated he will continue forcing votes on arms sales, describing Wednesday's results as building momentum for future restrictions. The Vermont senator's persistent campaign appears to be succeeding in fracturing the traditional bipartisan consensus that has historically protected Israeli military aid from congressional scrutiny.
The international pressure cited by Sanders—including potential Palestinian state recognition by major allies—may provide additional leverage for future Democratic efforts to restrict arms sales. As global opinion increasingly turns against Israel's conduct in Gaza, Democratic senators face growing pressure from both international partners and domestic constituencies to reconsider America's military support for the Netanyahu government.
The Wednesday votes represent the closest the Senate has come to limiting U.S. armed support for Israel during the current conflict, establishing a new baseline for future legislative battles over American Middle East policy.