US Senate rejects attempts to halt military sales to Israel

The US Senate has rejected attempts to block the continuation of military sales to Israel, after Washington vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, sparking outrage and condemnation amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

In a contentious session on Capitol Hill, the US Senate on Wednesday voted to block the "resolutions of disapproval", three resolutions aimed at stopping the transfer of certain US weapons to Israel.

In a decisive vote, 79 out of 100 senators rejected a resolution aimed at halting the sale of tank rounds to Israel, with 18 in favor and one senator voting present.

Similarly, 78 senators opposed a second proposal to block mortar round shipments, while 19 supported it and one voted present.

In a third measure concerning joint direct attack munitions (JDAMS) kits, 80 senators voted against the ban, with 17 in favor and one present. These JDAMS kits, produced by Boeing, transform standard unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions using fins and GPS technology.

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A group of US senators has called on Washington to end its arms sales to Israel, saying the United States is playing a key role in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent aligned with the Democratic caucus, filed a total of six resolutions in September to oppose a $20bn weapons deal for Israel approved by the administration of President Joe Biden.

"It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use US taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of US and international law and our moral values," Sanders said in a Senate speech before the vote.

He added that the military aid to Israel violates US law barring weapons sales to human rights abusers, pointing to the alarming toll of Palestinian casualties, especially among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly, while also accusing Israel of hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid.

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The Senate’s rejection of the bids to block military sales came on the heels of a veto by the US of a UN resolution that sought an "immediate, unconditional and permanent" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The US exercised its veto power for the fourth time on Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council to block the resolution.

The Joe Biden administration has also voiced its opposition to the resolutions, outlining its stance in a document shared with Democratic senators.

Among the 11 key points, the administration emphasized that supplying military equipment to Israel is crucial for the regime's long-term security.

The US "Leahy Laws" prohibit supplying military aid to Washington’s allies if they are committing human rights violations and blocking aid to war victims. It empowers Congress to halt significant foreign arms sales through resolutions of disapproval.

However, the US State Department said on Tuesday that American weapons and ammunition supplies to Israelis will continue despite the end of a 30-day ultimatum given to Tel Aviv to take “concrete measures” to stop its violations in Gaza and allow international humanitarian aid through.

Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza has killed at least 43,985 Palestinians and wounded 104,092 since October 7, 2023.

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