19 Senators Vote Against More U.S. Weapons For Israel In Rebuke To Biden

WASHINGTON — In an unprecedented move, 19 senators voted on Wednesday to oppose providing Israel with additional U.S. military aid, signaling growing frustration in Congress over President Joe Biden's staunch support for Israel amid its ongoing Gaza offensive.

This coalition of Democratic and independent senators rejected the delivery of $61 million in high-explosive mortar rounds to Israel. With the exception of Sen. George Helmy (D-N.J.), the group also opposed a $774 million shipment of tank rounds, which have reportedly been used in attacks that harmed children and humanitarian groups.

These armaments were part of a broader military package unveiled by Biden in August. While the vast majority of the Senate, including all Republicans, approved the deals, the dissent marks a rare challenge to Washington's traditional unwavering support for Israel.

Notably, some centrist lawmakers, including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), joined the opposition. Previous efforts to scrutinize U.S. arms sales and Israel’s human rights practices had garnered far fewer supporters, signaling a shift in sentiment.

The Wednesday vote also included a motion to block $262 million for Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which critics argue have been used in civilian casualties. Despite this, 17 senators opposed the bomb kit transfers, with proponents claiming the munitions enhance airstrike precision.

Acknowledging the unlikely prospect of overturning U.S. arms sales to Israel, critics aimed instead to spotlight mounting opposition to U.S. involvement in the conflict, which has caused immense casualties in Gaza and Lebanon since Hamas' October attack triggered renewed hostilities.

Scott Paul of Oxfam America hailed the vote as a sign of progress. “More Americans, including senators, refuse to be complicit in Gaza’s atrocities,” he wrote on X. “Though change is slow, this reflects a future where U.S. policy prioritizes dignity for Palestinians and Israelis alike.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) led the opposition, joined by moderates like Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). While acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, they criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s disregard for humanitarian appeals and U.S. demands to modify military operations.

The Biden administration lobbied hard to maintain support for Israel, with Secretary of State Tony Blinken briefing senators before the vote and a White House memo alleging opposition would aid Hamas. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and pro-Israel lobbyists like AIPAC also mounted extensive campaigns to dissuade dissent.

Prominent Israeli politician Yair Lapid defended military aid, urging the U.S. to stand by Israel against terrorism, regardless of Netanyahu’s policies. Meanwhile, aid groups and analysts continue to question Israel’s adherence to humanitarian norms, with worsening conditions in Gaza contradicting U.S. assessments.

Jeremy Ben-Ami of J Street, part of a coalition advocating the opposition, emphasized the vote’s symbolic importance. “Even staunch Israel allies disapprove of Netanyahu’s conduct and the Biden administration’s unwillingness to leverage U.S. influence.”

While close to 20% of senators backed the opposition, Matt Duss of the Center for International Policy called it a historic stand, contrasting it with Biden’s complicity in what critics describe as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.