The two resolutions were introduced by independent Senator Bernie Sanders , a Democrat-backed senator , in an attempt to block the sale of $675 million worth of bombs and shipments of 20,000 assault rifles to Israel, citing its responsibility for thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza.
The two resolutions were voted against by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27 in the 100-member Senate, a relatively higher support than similar attempts voted on last April, which were defeated by an overwhelming majority of 83 to 15.
"Things are starting to change," Sanders said after the vote. "The American people don't want to spend billions to starve the children of Gaza." He noted that most of the Democratic bloc now supports such steps, expressing hope that Republicans will join in later.
In a remarkable shift, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire supported the resolutions this time, having opposed them in April. She said, "It is clear that Israel did not conduct its military operations with the due diligence required by international humanitarian law and did not allow sufficient humanitarian aid into the country."
Republicans, on the other hand, unanimously rejected both resolutions. Senator Jim Risch claimed that "Hamas is responsible for the situation in Gaza," adding that "it is in America's and the world's interest to destroy this terrorist group."
The vote coincides with mounting international outrage over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, amid indications of Western diplomatic moves. France and Canada have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state, while Britain has pledged formal recognition if the fighting does not cease before the UN General Assembly meeting next September.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a war of extermination in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The US-backed genocide left approximately 206,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 9,000 missing, in addition to hundreds of thousands of displaced persons and a famine that claimed the lives of many.
