The resolution presented by Sanders to stop the sale of weapons to Israel comes when Israel approved the ceasefire plan to end hostilities with Hamas in the Gaza Strip
Photo: Graeme Jennings-Pool / Getty Images
Monday, October 21
Bernie Sanders introduced a resolution to block the sale of arms to Israel over the Gaza conflict
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a resolution in Congress on Thursday to block a planned sale of precision guided weapons worth $ 735 million dollars to Israel , while Hostilities continue between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The resolution of Sanders occurs after President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a call to “reduce the escalation” of the conflict.
“At a time when the bombs s made in America are devastating Gaza and killing women and children, we cannot simply allow another major arms sales without even a debate in Congress ”, said Sanders in a statement on Thursday morning. “I believe that the United States must help lead the way to a peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians. We must carefully analyze if the sale of these weapons is really helping to achieve this, or if it is simply fueling conflict. ”
At a moment when US-made bombs are devastating Gaza, and killing women and children, we cannot simply let another huge arms sale go through without even a Congressional debate. https://t.co/nLoDFmLGr1
– Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 20, 2021
The resolution seeks to stop the planned sale of joint direct attack munitions (JDAM) and small diameter bombs, reported The Washington Post .
A similar resolution was introduced in the House by Democratic Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mark Pocan and Rashida Tlaib on Wednesday.
These actions mark the first major dissension between progressives and Biden, who have been animators of the president’s ambitious economic agenda during the pandemic.
Resolution is privileged ada , which means that Sanders could call her for a vote without having to vote to advance the legislation first, indicated CBS News .
A simple majority would be required to pass, although it is unclear if the resolution would receive enough support from Democrats to pass.
However, if approved and President Biden veto the resolution, it would take a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress to override the veto.
The former president Donald Trump previously vetoed three resolutions to block the arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and there was insufficient support in Congress for override these presidential vetoes.
Biden is facing pressure from a growing number of Democratic congressmen to take a tougher line with Israel , arguing that the president is not doing enough to denounce the human rights abuses against Palestinians.
More of 200 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since the beginning of the conflict, including dozens of children, and at least 12 Israelis have been killed by Hamas rockets.
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