Why the Senate’s Israel vote matters, as Democrats divide on the Jewish state

By Jacob Kornbluh
November 21, 2024

In a closely watched vote on Wednesday, the Senate rejected by an overwhelming majority three resolutions that sought to impose restrictions on U.S. arms sales to Israel. The outcome, however, showcased a growing schism within the Democratic Party over the policies of Israel’s right-wing government and the U.S. response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The measures led by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont – blocking the $20 billion sales deal of tank rounds, high-explosive mortar rounds and joint direct attack munitions – were supported by at least 17 Democratic senators, representing more than a third of the caucus, backing what was once a fringe position in Congress. Sen Jon Ossoff of Georgia, who is Jewish, voted in favor of only two resolutions but opposed the blocking of joint direct attack munitions, which would guide “dumb” bombs to be more accurate, potentially sparing civilian lives.

In floor remarks ahead of the vote, Sanders maintained that the resolutions were only aimed at preventing offensive weapons from being used against civilians in Gaza and Lebanon. “They would not affect any of the systems Israel uses to defend itself from incoming attacks,” he said.

Nonetheless, it failed decisively with only 19 senators voting to support any of the three resolutions.

Why the Senate vote on Israel matters

A few years ago, this level of support for even modest restrictions on arms sales to Israel would have been unthinkable. Wednesday’s vote, supported by some liberal Jewish organizations, signaled that there is growing concern about the policies of the Israeli government and highlighted a willingness among Democrats to challenge the historically bipartisan consensus on unconditional support for Israel amid the war in Gaza.

This shift also reflects increasing frustration with President Joe Biden. Progressive Democrats have criticized Biden for not doing enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accused his administration of providing Netanyahu’s government with a “blank check” despite growing concerns about human rights violations.  Pro-Palestinian activists and leaders of the ceasefire movement have called in recent months for a full arms embargo.

A recent pre-election poll showed that 62% of Jewish voters were open to supporting the U.S. withholding the shipment of some weapons to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

J Street, the liberal pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby, encouraged senators to support at least one of the resolutions to send a message of disapproval. The group called the outcome “a symbolic but deeply meaningful” vote “toward a relationship in which the US can hold Israel accountable for its actions and its use of the weapons we provide in the same way we enforce US laws for all other recipients of U.S. security assistance.”

The Senate vote underscored the delicate balancing act Biden is attempting to perform – unwavering support for Israel’s security while addressing growing concerns within his party about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite pausing one shipment of 2000-pound bombs to Israel, the administration has avoided isolating Netanyahu or conditioning U.S. military aid.

AIPAC and the White House pushback

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other Democratic-aligned pro-Israel groups hailed the Senate’s rejection of the resolutions as a reaffirmation of strong bipartisan support for Israel. AIPAC said its members made calls to members of Congress and sent more than 1.2 million emails in recent weeks in a campaign to reduce support for the effort. It added an action alert to thank those who voted no and to “express your disappointment” with those who voted for the resolutions.

“The Democratic Party stands with Israel as it faces grave security threats from Iran and its proxies, Hamas, and Hezbollah,” the Jewish Democratic Council of America said in a statement.

The Biden administration actively lobbied senators against the resolutions, saying that restricting arms sales would undermine Israel’s ability to defend itself against Hamas and other threats. “Now is the time to focus pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and stop the war,” the White House memo read. “Cutting off arms from Israel would put this goal even further out of reach and prolong the war, not shorten it.”

Biden’s stance marked a stark departure from the final months of the Obama administration, which in 2016 broke with tradition by supporting a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Earlier on Wednesday, the U.S. vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, saying that it failed to require the release of hostages still being held there as a precondition.

Where was Chuck Schumer?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has boasted that under his leadership support for Israel has remained bipartisan and that his caucus constantly backed aid to Israel.  Earlier this year, Schumer told Jewish Democrats: “I have always tried to be in the Senate ‘Shomer Yisrael’ — someone who guards and watches over America’s critical partnership with Israel.”

Schumer reportedly pressed senators to reject slowing down the delivery of military equipment to Israel. In remarks on the Senate floor, the Democratic leader said the resolutions were “the wrong way and the wrong strategy” to address the conflict. “It has been a cornerstone of American policy to give Israel the resources it needs to defend against its enemies,” he said. “We should not stray from that policy today.”

But the Republican Jewish Coalition criticized Schumer for refusing to whip votes against it, calling it “shameful.”

Sen. JD Vance, who as Vice President may influence the Trump administration’s Israel policy, was not present for the vote.

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