U.S. Senate Blocks Bernie Sanders Bid to Halt Arms Sale to Israel

The U.S. Senate blocked this Wednesday (15.04.2026) an attempt led by Senator Bernie Sanders, backed by Democrats, to stop the sale of armament to Israel in a vote that DW said exposed “crecientes divisiones” within the party over military support for an ally in a war against Iran.

“- Published Four months before the US midterm elections, a rising challenge confronts the Democratic Party”

BBC

DW reported that Sanders’ initiative sought to prevent the transfer of “bombas de 450 kilos y excavadoras blindadas,” equipment its promoters said could be used in operations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

BBC

DW also said the resolutions did not pass, but “un número significativo de demócratas se desmarcó” from prior votes and supported parts of the measures.

In the same DW report, Republicans rejected the resolutions “de forma casi unánime,” defending continued military support for Israel and warning about the impact on “la estabilidad regional.”

DW added that the Senate previously rejected, by 47 votes to 52, a resolution that would have prevented President Donald Trump from ordering new attacks against the Islamic republic without prior authorization from Congress.

As the Democratic Party’s Israel stance becomes a defining issue, the BBC described a wedge between the base and leadership, pointing to the 2026 Democratic primaries and last week’s New York City congressional primaries as the clearest example.

The BBC said City Comptroller Brad Lander, who called Israel’s military campaign in Gaza a genocide, pledged to vote against U.S. funding for Israel’s military and said he would not accept campaign donations from AIPAC.

CBN

The BBC contrasted Lander with Congressman Dan Goldman, who also criticized the Israeli government and opposed expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but “did not use the term genocide” and had previously received contributions from AIPAC.

The BBC reported that Lander’s approach prevailed as he defeated Goldman “in a landslide,” and it said the results hinted at a schism that could affect upcoming races this autumn, including a Democratic primary for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat in August.

In the same BBC piece, J-Street vice-president Tali DeGroot said, “in much of the Democratic base - especially in urban, progressive, young environments - criticising Israel publicly is sort of a signal” that a candidate will not stick to the status quo.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel and called for ending military aid unless the Israeli government commits to a clear timeline to implement a two-state solution, according to Al Sharq’s report.

“El Senado de Estados Unidos bloqueó este miércoles (15”

DW

Al Sharq said Van Hollen argued that both the Democratic and Republican parties had failed to address the Israeli-Palestinian issue because of what he described as “reflexive and unconditional” support from Washington for Israeli governments.

Al Sharq reported that Van Hollen proposed halting military aid funded by American taxpayers unless Israel commits to a clear timeline for the two-state solution, and it said he also urged restrictions on the sale of offensive weapons to Israel.

The report also said Van Hollen directed criticism at the Trump administration for moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and closing the Palestinian mission in Washington, and it said he criticized the Biden administration for not using American leverage after the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Al Sharq added that Van Hollen said 40 Democratic lawmakers recently voted against transferring certain military equipment to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, compared with 15 lawmakers last year, and he warned Democratic voters would not trust a candidate he described as lacking “moral and strategic clarity” on the war in Gaza and U.S. military support for Israel.