Democratic senators could soon send a historic message that Washington is grappling with the devastating wars in Iran, Lebanon and Gaza — and moving toward a foreign policy overhaul by reconsidering the flow of American weaponry to Israel.
On Wednesday evening, the Senate will consider legislation led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) that would block roughly $150 million in 1,000-pound bombs and $300 million in bulldozers that President Donald Trump wants to send to the Israelis. Supporters of the bills hope the votes will rally the largest-ever opposition from senators to arms for Tel Aviv — more than 30 or potentially 35 — and apply new pressure to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid a fragile ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and bids to end the U.S.-backed Israeli offensive in Lebanon.
A sharp uptick in support for limiting weapons transfers would represent a major stand for human rights and adherence to U.S. and international laws about respect for civilians and limitations on violence even in war time, those advocates argue, though the immediate effect is limited since unanimous Republican support for shipping the weapons to Israel means the initiatives have no chance of passing Congress, much less being signed into law by Trump.
