Democrat effort to block Biden weapon sale to Israel gains momentum

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts, has expressed her support for a Joint Resolution of Disapproval introduced by Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders. This resolution aims to block President Biden’s recent arms sale to Israel. Sanders plans to bring the resolution to a vote this week, citing Israel’s failure to provide adequate humanitarian aid to Gazans amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Warren, in a statement shared with The Guardian, echoed Sanders’ concerns and indicated her agreement in halting the weapons sales to Israel for the same reason.

The Biden administration had given Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu a 30-day ultimatum to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza or face consequences under U.S. law. However, after the deadline passed, it was acknowledged that Israel had not significantly improved the situation for Palestinian civilians. Despite this, the flow of offensive weapons to Israel remained unrestricted.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had previously warned Israel that if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve, the U.S. could restrict military support. They outlined specific steps for Israel to take, including increasing the number of aid trucks entering Gaza daily.

Following the 30-day deadline, the U.S. determined that Israel had made limited progress but was not in violation of international law. However, critics argued that Israel had failed to meet the criteria set out by the U.S. and had worsened the situation in Northern Gaza.

Sanders and Warren are now pushing a joint resolution of disapproval to reverse the executive branch’s actions regarding the arms sale to Israel. Warren emphasized the importance of upholding U.S. law and holding the Netanyahu government accountable for its actions through legislative measures.

The resolution of disapproval is a legislative tool used to challenge decisions made by the executive branch. Warren’s support for this resolution highlights the need for Congress to step in and ensure that U.S. laws are upheld, even if the administration fails to act. This move underscores the significance of accountability and the enforcement of humanitarian principles in foreign policy decisions.