Nervous Dems distance themselves from Comrade Bernie’s move to block Israel aid

Democrats continue to be divided on the issue of the war in Gaza and a new proposal led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) blocking aid to Israel has some vulnerable lawmakers nervous.

Democrats running in competitive states are putting some daylight between themselves and the effort to block military aid to Israel. Senate incumbents focused on keeping their seats amid a slim Democratic majority are expressing concerns with the push by Sanders and others who are seeking to block selling more than $20 billion in weapons to Israel.

“Sending more weapons is not only immoral, it is also illegal,” Sanders said in a statement introducing the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval.

While acknowledging that Israel “clearly had the right to respond to Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th,” Sanders contended that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “extremist government” is now waging an “all-out war against the Palestinian people.”

Today, with colleagues, I introduced legislation to block arms sales to Israel.

Sending more weapons to Netanyahu’s extremist government is immoral & illegal: U.S. weapons are responsible for far too many civilian casualties in Gaza.

We must end our complicity in this atrocity. pic.twitter.com/IX7Ys5PrBW

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 25, 2024

“For all of these reasons – moral, legal, and strategic – sending more weapons to Netanyahu’s extremist government is unacceptable,” Sanders said., noting that the Senate will vote on the proposal when it reconvenes in November.

But to those like Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), the move to limit aid to Israel is “wrong and dangerous.”

“At a time when Israel is under attack from Iran’s terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, calls to limit security assistance to our democratic ally Israel are wrong and dangerous,” Rosen told the Washington Examiner in a statement. “As Iran, China, and Russia deepen their military ties, it’s in our interest that America’s allies can defend themselves. This resolution would undermine Israel’s ability to defend against mounting regional threats, which is why I’ll do everything in my power to block it.”

While Sen. Sherrod Brown, who is in a tight race against Republican nominee Bernie Moreno, is reportedly reviewing the legislation, the Ohio Democrat “has some concerns about Senator Sanders’ approach.”

“Senator Brown strongly believes that Israel has a clear and undeniable right to defend itself against Hamas’ brutal terrorism and voted to send military aid to Israel, along with much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza,” Brown’s spokesman, Kevin Donohue, said in a statement. “Ultimately, Senator Brown believes that Israel and Hamas must agree to a ceasefire that ends the war, frees the hostages, and delivers desperately needed humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.”

The Senate will soon vote on my resolution to block $20 billion in new arms sales to Israel. U.S.-provided weapons have caused massive death and suffering to innocent people in Gaza.

We cannot continue to turn a blind eye. https://t.co/9KuoOSqCqB

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) September 22, 2024

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) noted that Congress already approved aid to Israel on “an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis,” and “Turning back on that aid would be reckless and irresponsible.”

“I remain committed to standing with Israel and its right to protect itself while we also work to bring the hostages home and provide much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza,” Casey told Jewish Insider.

Montana Sen. Jon Tester, who’s in a tight race against Republican Tim Sheehy, told the Washington Examiner he is opposed to the resolutions.

Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) joined Sanders in introducing the resolutions last week, just days before Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed.