The White House is coming out swinging against an effort from independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders to block the Trump administration from selling certain weapons to Israel.
President Donald Trump would veto two resolutions of disapproval offered by Sanders to block arms transfers to Israel, according to a statement of administration policy obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. The administration argues the proposed weapons sales to Israel would strengthen the country’s ability to deter and defeat regional threats, and that the transfers align with the national interest of the U.S.
“The Administration strongly opposes passage of S.J. Res. 34 and S.J. Res. 41, joint resolutions that would block the proposed sales of munitions and small arms to our ally Israel,” the White House document states. “If S.J. Res. 34 or S.J. Res. 41 were presented to the President, his advisors would recommend he veto the joint resolutions.”
Sanders, a frequent critic of Israel, is expected to force the upper chamber to vote on two resolutions blocking small arms and munitions sales to Israel before the Senate adjourns for the August recess. The left-wing lawmaker has lambasted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly perpetrating mass starvation in the Gaza Strip.
“The time is long overdue for Congress to use the leverage we have — tens of billions in arms and military aid — to demand that Israel end these atrocities,” Sanders said in a statement Tuesday.
Sanders’ measures face steep hurdles to passing the upper chamber due to Senate Republicans’ consistent support for Israel and its war effort in Gaza. Senate Republicans also widely backed Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this year.
The votes also threaten to expose a divide among Senate Democrats regarding their support for Israel and the country’s military operations.
Senate Democrats have ramped up their criticism of Israel over the humanitarian situation in Gaza in recent days with independent Maine Sen. Angus King, a member of the Democratic caucus, calling for an end to aid to Israel, citing concerns that Gaza is experiencing mass starvation.
Democratic Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin said on the “Breaking Points” podcast Tuesday that she would explore supporting halting offensive weapons sales to Israel.
“That certainly, to me, would be a place to look, but I’m not going to cut off a blanket next sale on a defensive weapon that comes through, no,” Slotkin said.
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