Tag: Bid

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to reject three resolutions aimed at halting military sales to Israel, despite growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.   The resolutions, introduced by progressive lawmakers, sought to block the transfer of certain U.S. weapons to Israel, including tank and mortar rounds.   In a clear divide within President Biden's Democratic party, 79 senators voted against advancing the resolutions, with 18 supporting them and one voting present.   The second measure, aimed at stopping the shipment of mortar rounds, saw 78 votes against, 19 in favour, and one present.   Reuters reports that 80 senators voted against a third measure aimed at halting shipments of Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) kits, with 17 in favour and one voting present.   The kits, made by Boeing, convert standard unguided bombs into precision-guided weapons using fins and a GPS guidance system.   Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who aligns with Democrats, filed "resolutions of disapproval" to block the sale of $20 billion worth of U.S. weaponry to Israel.   This move is co-sponsored by several Democrats who are vocal about their concerns regarding the treatment of civilians in the ongoing conflict.   The resolutions specifically target offensive weapons, such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions and 120mm artillery shells, which have been linked to gross human rights violations in Gaza.   However, supporters hoped the significant backing in the Senate would push both Israel's government and the Biden administration to do more to protect Palestinian civilians. Sanders introduced six resolutions covering about $20 billion in military aid to Israel, though only three were voted on this week.   Meanwhile, the Biden administration opposed the resolutions, arguing that military support for Israel is vital to its long-term security in the face of threats from Iran and other adversaries.   The administration also emphasised its ongoing efforts to improve conditions in Gaza.   However, with Gaza's population of 2.3 million largely displaced and facing the threat of famine, over 43,922 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, according to Gaza health officials.   Sanders criticised the military aid, claiming it violates U.S. laws barring weapons sales to human rights violators.   He pointed to the high number of Palestinian casualties, including children and elderly people, and accused Israel of blocking aid shipments.   "It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in violation of U.S. and international law, and our moral values," Sanders said in a Senate speech ahead of the vote.   Opponents of the resolution argued that the timing was inappropriate, given Israel's ongoing threats from militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and its long-time adversary, Iran.   "Israel is surrounded by enemies intent on its destruction," Senate Democratic Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated in his speech before the vote.   The vote could have been the final opportunity to halt any weapons sales before Republican President-elect Donald Trump assumed office in January.   Many U.S. Muslims, who opposed Trump's Democratic rival, Vice President Kamala Harris, in the presidential election, cited the administration's support for Israel as a reason.   However, Trump had been a strong supporter of Netanyahu's conservative government during his first term.   Israel maintains it has been addressing humanitarian needs and that aid delivery issues stemmed mainly from U.N. distribution challenges.   The Israeli embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on Sanders' resolutions.   Biden, whose presidency ends in January, has firmly supported Israel since the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks, which killed over 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.   Last month, the Biden administration gave Israel a 30-day deadline to improve the flow of aid to Gaza or face consequences to U.S. military assistance.   However, the U.S. stated that by November 12, Israel had made sufficient progress and was no longer hindering aid to Gaza.   However, many aid organizations disagreed with this assessment.