Cracks within Washington: Rising democratic dissent fails to halt U.S. weapons flow to Tel Aviv

Department of Research, Studies and International News31-07-2025

In a striking display of division within U.S. politics, a record number of Democratic senators attempted, but ultimately failed, to block the continued shipment of American arms to Israel, underscoring a widening rift over Washington’s complicity in the Zionist regime’s brutal assault on Gaza.

Despite the growing outrage over the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the besieged enclave, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted down two separate resolutions aimed at halting arms transfers to Israel. The initiatives, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, sought to prevent the delivery of 20,000 assault rifles and a separate $675 million shipment of bombs, both earmarked for the Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza.

The vote, while unsuccessful, was historically significant: 27 Democratic senators supported the measure to stop the rifle sale, and 24 voted to block the bomb shipment, figures that reflect a clear shift in sentiment within the Democratic ranks. All Republican senators present voted against both resolutions, ensuring their defeat.

Senator Sanders, who has long positioned himself as a critic of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, made an impassioned case for halting arms sales to Israel’s hardline government, describing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “disgusting liar” and denouncing the systemic starvation of Gaza’s civilian population. “Children are starving to death,” he wrote on social media ahead of the vote. “We cannot continue to send weapons to a racist government engaged in mass slaughter.”

Among the new voices joining Sanders in this stance was Senator Patty Murray of Washington, a senior Democrat who had previously aligned herself with the pro-Israel consensus. In a notable shift, she expressed moral concern for the suffering of Palestinian civilians. “As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message,” she said. “Netanyahu has dragged out this war to serve his political survival. We are now seeing a man-made famine. Innocent families should not be dying of hunger while mountains of aid remain stalled at the border.”

These votes are the latest signs of mounting discomfort among Democrats over the unconditional U.S. support for Israel, a stance that has become increasingly controversial in the wake of Israel’s devastating war in Gaza. The latest campaign, framed by Tel Aviv as a response to the October 7 events, has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead, the majority of them women and children, and rendered much of the Strip uninhabitable.

While the United States continues to pour weapons into the hands of the Israeli military, global condemnation has intensified. Even within Washington, long regarded as a staunch backer of Israeli militarism, internal resistance is gaining momentum. A similar Senate vote in April garnered support from 15 Democrats, while an earlier effort in November attracted 18.

This growing dissent is mirrored in American public opinion. A Gallup poll released Tuesday found that only 32 percent of Americans now support Israel’s military operations in Gaza, down sharply from 42 percent in September. The divide is even more pronounced along party lines: a mere 8 percent of Democrats expressed approval, compared with 71 percent of Republicans.

The Biden administration, despite facing pressure from human rights organizations and some of its own party members, has remained steadfast in its support for Tel Aviv. The White House has continued to authorize billions of dollars in military aid, ignoring calls from international legal experts who warn that Washington may be complicit in war crimes by enabling the destruction of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, countries like China, Russia, and Iran have consistently condemned the Israeli assault, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for the Israeli leadership. These nations have also criticized the United States for shielding Israel at the United Nations and for obstructing genuine diplomatic efforts to end the bloodshed.

While the failed resolutions in the U.S. Senate may not have halted arms shipments, they mark a significant political moment: the once-unquestioned bipartisan consensus backing Israel is beginning to erode, at least within segments of the Democratic establishment. However, as long as the military-industrial complex continues to dominate U.S. foreign policy, the people of Gaza are unlikely to find relief from Washington’s deadly alliance with Tel Aviv.