The U.S. Senate swatted down a radical push to choke off critical arms sales to Israel, our stalwart ally in the Middle East. On Wednesday evening, a resolution to halt over $675 million in weapons transfers, particularly assault rifles, went down in flames with a decisive 27-70 vote, as the Daily Caller reports. The effort, spearheaded by Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, exposed a growing fracture within the Democratic Party, as many ignored Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s opposition.
The Senate’s vote rejected Sanders’ attempt to block arms sales, which he claimed were fueling a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. More than half of the Democratic caucus, in a record-breaking show of defiance, backed Sanders’ resolution, revealing their willingness to undermine Israel’s defense against Hamas. Every single Republican senator, standing firm, voted against this progressive overreach.
Sanders, no stranger to stirring the pot, forced this vote as his third attempt to derail U.S. support for Israel’s military. His rhetoric about Gaza’s suffering conveniently sidesteps the fact that Hamas, a terrorist group, holds the keys to ending civilian hardship. The White House, rightly, promised a swift veto from President Donald Trump if the measure had passed, emphasizing America’s duty to support Israel against regional threats.
Sanders’ resolution targeted tens of thousands of assault rifles destined for Israel’s defense forces. He argued that Israel’s actions under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are causing “intolerable starvation” in Gaza, a claim that shifts ignore Hamas’ role in perpetuating the conflict. This one-sided narrative plays well with the woke crowd but crumbles under scrutiny.
“The solution to all of this isn’t to deprive Israel of the weapons it needs,” said Sen. Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Risch nailed it -- Hamas, not Israel, holds the power to stop the violence by releasing hostages and ending its attacks. Yet, Sanders and his allies seem more interested in grandstanding than addressing the root cause.
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, flipping from his earlier stance in April, joined Sanders in supporting the rifle ban. “I do not believe the United States Senate should acquiesce without objection to the extreme mass deprivation of civilians in Gaza,” Ossoff declared. His sudden shift reeks of political pandering, especially as he faces a tough 2026 reelection battle.
The National Senatorial Campaign Committee didn’t hold back, slamming Ossoff as a “radical leftist” who’s out of touch with Georgia’s Jewish community. Their stinging rebuke warned that voters will “send him packing” in 2026. Ossoff’s vote, alongside his moderate facade, raises questions about his true priorities.
Interestingly, Ossoff drew a line at Sanders’ second resolution, which aimed to block bomb sales and guidance kits to Israel. That measure also tanked, with a 24-73 vote, as Senate Republicans and Schumer stood united in opposition. The broader Democratic support for these resolutions signals a troubling drift toward appeasing anti-Israel extremists.
Three Democratic Party rising stars -- Elissa Slotkin, Ruben Gallego, and Mark Kelly—dodged the vote entirely. Their absence suggests a calculated move to avoid alienating either side, a spineless tactic for politicians who claim to be moderates. Such fence-sitting only fuels distrust among voters who value clarity and conviction.
The White House made it clear: President Trump would veto any attempt to weaken Israel’s defenses. Their statement underscored the need to stand by allies to “deter and defeat regional foes.” This resolute stance contrasts sharply with the wavering loyalty of Sanders’ Democratic Party followers.
Schumer, a consistent voice for Israel, voted against both resolutions, aligning with every Republican senator. His leadership, though, couldn’t rein in the majority of his caucus, exposing a party increasingly swayed by progressive dogma. This internal rebellion threatens to erode America’s steadfast support for Israel.
Sanders’ relentless campaign to curb Israel’s military aid is framed as humanitarian concern but feels like a betrayal of a key ally. His focus on Gaza’s plight ignores Hamas’ deliberate use of civilians as shields. It’s a classic case of misdirected outrage, dressed up as compassion.
The Senate’s rejection of both resolutions reaffirms America’s commitment to Israel’s security, but the Democratic Party split is alarming. More than half the caucus siding with Sanders signals a shift toward policies that could embolden terrorists. This isn’t about humanitarianism—it’s about undermining a strategic partner.
Ossoff’s vote, in particular, draws scrutiny as he balances his vulnerable 2026 race. His claim of opposing “mass deprivation” sounds noble but conveniently dodges Hamas’ accountability. Georgia voters, as the NRSC predicts, may not forgive this apparent flip-flop.
The Senate’s decisive votes send a message: America won’t abandon Israel to appease a vocal minority. Yet, the Democratic Party’s growing anti-Israel faction raises red flags for the future. If this trend continues, the U.S. risks weakening a critical alliance in a volatile region.
