The US Senate voted Thursday on a series of legislative proposals presented by Senator Bernie Sanders aimed at restricting arms transfers to Israel. The three texts, each relating to a different type of military equipment, were all rejected by a large majority. The first resolution, which called for suspending the sale of tank shells to Israel, was rejected by 79 votes against, 18 in favor and one abstention. If the failure was predictable, the number of Democratic support surprised observers, with 18 senators from the majority party voting in favor of the limitation.
The second proposal, concerning the cessation of mortar sales to Israel, was also defeated, with 78 votes against, 19 for and one abstention. The third and final text, relating to the suspension of deliveries of JDAM systems (guidance kits transforming conventional bombs into precision munitions), suffered the same fate with 80 votes against, 17 for and one abstention.
“Although the left wing’s attempt to limit arms sales to Israel failed as expected, the progressive camp managed to mobilize between 17 and 19 supporters of the call to stop arms deliveries,” he said. underlined a political analyst.
Opponents of arms transfers included not only members of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, but also some more surprising voices, including Senators Dick Durbin and Jon Ossoff.
The Democratic leadership considered the results of the vote a success, with the majority of group members voting against cutting military aid, while the progressive camp was pleased to have managed to muster a significant number of support for his proposals.
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