Proposal against unconditional aid to Israel defeated in US Congress votes
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The US administration once again found itself in a dubious position regarding its stance on ending Israeli aggressions in Gaza, voting against a measure introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders. The measure sought restrictions on the US' unconditional financial aid to Israel, contingent on taking into account human rights violations.
The proposal sought to link the aid to whether the Israeli government was violating human rights and international accords in its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
The majority of senators, with 72 votes against and 11 in favour, rejected the proposal. While Sanders' effort faced an uphill battle, the vote underscored the increasing unease among Democrats over the traditionally unwavering U.S. support for Israel.
The measure proposed by Sanders utilizes a mechanism outlined in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which empowers Congress to oversee US military assistance. This oversight is mandated to ensure compliance with international human rights agreements.
This report will assess whether the Israeli military's actions in Gaza were in violation of human rights and international agreements. Failure to produce the report could have potentially led to the quick suspension of U.S. military aid to Israel, a move previously unquestioned.
The proposal was part of a series of initiatives put forth by progressives to address concerns over Israel's actions in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 24,000, and the majority of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced.
Senator Sanders, in a speech before the vote, emphasized the need to ensure that U.S. aid aligns with human rights principles and domestic laws. Despite the defeat, Sanders and other lawmakers succeeded in sparking a debate by forcing senators to go on record regarding their stance on conditioning aid to Israel.
The White House had openly opposed the resolution. Currently, the U.S. provides Israel with $3.8 billion in security assistance annually, covering a range of military equipment, from fighter jets to powerful bombs designed to eliminate Hamas tunnels. President Biden has also sought an additional $14 billion in aid for Israel.
The measure proposed by Sanders relied on a mechanism within the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which allows Congress to oversee U.S. military assistance to ensure compliance with international human rights agreements.
Despite the bipartisan opposition in Congress to placing conditions on aid to Israel, the debate has intensified, with some lawmakers expressing concerns over Israel's offensive in Gaza.
Sanders, in an interview, emphasized Israel's right to defend itself but criticized the use of U.S. military assistance in what he perceived as a war against the entire Palestinian population.
While the proposal faced defeat, progressive representatives including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Barbara Lee, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have called for a ceasefire amidst anti-war protests across the U.S. In a letter to President Biden, these lawmakers highlighted the devastating impact on civilians, particularly children, during the Israeli bombings.
Despite the outcome, organizations supporting Sanders' effort saw it as a historic moment, challenging the longstanding consensus in the Senate regarding unwavering support for Israel's military actions.
Andrew O'Neill, the legislative director of Indivisible, one of the groups backing the measure, described Sanders' introduction of the bill and the support of ten colleagues as a remarkable departure from the status quo.
