Cracks are widening within the Democratic Party as more Senate Democrats are translating their concerns about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wartime conduct in Gaza into concrete action. This shift is primarily driven by the escalating humanitarian crisis, particularly reports of children dying from starvation.
Recent Senate votes revealed a growing willingness among Democrats to challenge the status quo. More than half of the 47-member Senate Democratic Caucus supported measures to block weapons sales to Israel, a move seen as a direct rebuke of Mr. Netanyahu’s handling of the situation. While these votes ultimately failed due to unified Republican opposition, they highlighted a significant fracture within the Democratic ranks regarding policy toward Israel.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, articulated the rationale behind this shift, emphasizing the need to send a clear message that the current situation is unacceptable. She stressed that Israel has the power to allow more aid into Gaza immediately and to prioritize a long-term two-state solution. Vermont Senator Bernard Sanders, an independent who aligns with the Democrats, echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction that more Democrats are recognizing the problematic nature of U.S. taxpayer support for the Netanyahu government’s policies, which he characterized as devastating to the Palestinian people, even to the point of starving children. He also predicted that some Republicans might eventually join this perspective.
However, the issue remains deeply divisive. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat and the highest-ranking Jewish U.S. official, voted against halting weapons shipments. He argued that “security assistance to Israel is not about any one government but about our support for the Israeli people.” Despite this, he condemned the “heartbreaking and unacceptable” humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged the Trump administration and the Netanyahu government to drastically increase the delivery of food and other essential aid to “innocent Palestinians in Gaza.”
These votes represent the third time in the past year that Mr. Sanders has initiated Senate votes concerning arms provisions to Israel related to its conflict with Hamas. He has indicated his intention to continue this practice if the humanitarian crisis persists. Senator James E. Risch, an Idaho Republican and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, noted the unwavering GOP support for Israel, expressing uncertainty about the motivations driving the Democrats’ actions.
Specifically, one vote aimed to block the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic assault rifles, failing by a vote of 27-70. Another vote sought to prohibit a $676 million sale of thousands of 1,000-pound bombs and guidance kits, which was rejected by a slightly larger margin of 24-73. In similar votes orchestrated by Mr. Sanders earlier in the year, Democratic support peaked at 19.
This recent shift is largely attributed to the increasingly dire conditions in Gaza, where mass starvation has exacerbated the already staggering death toll resulting from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The deteriorating situation has compelled some Democrats, who previously opposed such measures, to now support sending a message to Mr. Netanyahu.
Senator Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, who previously opposed blocking arms to Israel, supported the recent effort, stating, “Starving children and innocent civilians is wrong.” Other senators who switched their votes included Ms. Klobuchar, Sens. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Patty Murray of Washington, and Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both of Rhode Island. Notably, Senators Reed, Whitehouse, and Jon Ossoff of Georgia only voted to block the sale of assault rifles, not the bombs.
Senator Ossoff explained that his opposition to sending assault rifles stemmed from the likelihood that they “would likely have been allocated to police forces under the control of Itamar Ben-Gvir,” Israel’s far-right national security minister, who has actively resisted ceasefire efforts. However, he supported the continued provision of bombs, arguing that they have a more significant role in protecting the Israeli people, “who face the persistent threat of rocket and missile attack and have been subjected to intense aerial bombardment from Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen.” He framed his vote as a demonstration of protest against the Netanyahu government’s policies, citing “overwhelming public concern, sadness and outrage at the starvation of children.”
Republicans were quick to criticize Mr. Ossoff’s stance. Some Democrats remain frustrated with Mr. Sanders’ continued efforts to force these votes, viewing them as a source of division within the Democratic Caucus. Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, emphasized the importance of a unified voice within the caucus, arguing that “these resolutions do not bring us closer to their stated goals. Instead, they renege on our promise of support to our ally Israel and risk a fragile but expanding aid apparatus.”
