LIVE: US Senators Call for Sanctions Against Israel; US Senate Erupts Before Netanyahu-Trump Meet
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In recent months, certain U.S. senators have advocated for imposing sanctions on Israeli officials and reconsidering military aid to Israel, primarily due to concerns over actions in the West Bank and Gaza.
Calls for Sanctions on Israeli Officials
In June 2024, Senator Chris Van Hollen urged the Biden administration to consider sanctions against Israel’s Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich. Van Hollen highlighted Smotrich’s efforts to withhold tax revenues from the Palestinian Authority and his support for dismantling the PA, actions perceived as destabilizing and counter to U.S. policy. Van Hollen stated, “I think it’s the right thing to do to send a signal on the kind of instability that he is creating through his efforts to cut off all funding to the PA.” citeturn0search0
By November 2024, nearly 90 Democratic lawmakers, including Van Hollen, Representatives Rosa DeLauro, and Sean Casten, called on President Biden to impose sanctions on members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. This appeal was in response to over 1,270 recorded attacks by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, with officials like Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused of inciting violence. The lawmakers emphasized the need for the U.S. to demonstrate strong opposition to such actions and to support a two-state solution.
Efforts to Block Military Aid to Israel
Senator Bernie Sanders has been at the forefront of initiatives to reassess U.S. military aid to Israel. In December 2023, Sanders introduced a resolution invoking Section 502(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act, requesting the State Department to investigate potential human rights violations by Israel in Gaza. The resolution aimed to freeze U.S. military aid pending the report’s findings but was defeated in the Senate, with a 72 to 11 vote.
In September 2024, Sanders announced plans to introduce legislation to block the sale of offensive U.S. weapons to Israel, citing concerns over the humanitarian impact of military actions in Gaza. He argued that providing more offensive weapons would violate U.S. and international law, stating, “We must end our complicity in Israel’s illegal and indiscriminate military campaign, which has caused mass civilian death and suffering.”
By November 2024, Sanders and other progressive senators attempted to block a $20 billion arms deal to Israel, including military tanks and munitions. Despite their efforts, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected the resolutions, with votes of 79-18, 78-19, and 80-17 against each measure. The Biden administration opposed these resolutions, emphasizing the importance of supporting Israel’s security amidst regional threats.
Internal Divisions and Ongoing Debates
These legislative efforts reveal internal divisions within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. policy toward Israel. While a faction advocates for stricter conditions on military aid and sanctions in response to human rights concerns, the broader Senate, including leadership, continues to support robust military assistance to Israel. This ongoing debate reflects the complex dynamics of U.S.-Israel relations and the challenges of aligning foreign policy with human rights considerations.
https://www.axios.com/2025/04/03/senate-democrats-cancel-military-aid-israel
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-senate-rejects-effort-block-arms-sales-israel-2025-04-03
In April 2025, the U.S. Senate experienced significant turmoil coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., for discussions with President Donald Trump. The discord centered on proposed U.S. arms sales to Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Senate Debate on Arms Sales to Israel
Senator Bernie Sanders spearheaded efforts to block an $8.8 billion arms sale to Israel, citing humanitarian concerns in Gaza. He highlighted the severe civilian casualties and the blockade’s impact on essential supplies. Despite these concerns, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected the resolutions, with votes of 82-15 and 83-15, reflecting robust bipartisan support for Israel. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch emphasized the importance of supporting a key ally, stating that halting arms sales would be detrimental to U.S.-Israel relations. Reuters+1YouTube+1
Netanyahu-Trump Meeting Amidst Senate Tensions
Amidst this legislative debate, Prime Minister Netanyahu met with President Trump at the White House to discuss trade issues and the Gaza situation. The meeting occurred against a backdrop of escalating conflict in Gaza and international criticism of Israel’s military actions. Notably, the White House canceled a planned press conference, possibly due to the sensitive nature of the discussions and the concurrent Senate debates. Axios+4The Guardian+4Politico+4Spectrum News
Global Economic Implications
Concurrently, President Trump’s imposition of sweeping global tariffs led to significant market instability. The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced its largest drop since 2020, exacerbating tensions with international allies, including Israel. These economic policies added complexity to U.S.-Israel relations, as both nations navigated the implications of the tariffs on their bilateral trade. Axios+6AP News+6Latest news & breaking headlines+6
The convergence of Senate debates over arms sales, high-level diplomatic meetings, and global economic upheavals underscored the multifaceted challenges in U.S.-Israel relations during this period.
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