Discontent grows as 36 Democrats back Sanders on Israel weapons ban bid

A coalition of 36 Democrats joined Bernie Sanders to block US arms sales to Israel. The move signals rising unease with Netanyahu's Gaza and Iran policy within the Democratic Party. Republicans opposed the bid, ensuring the measure failed but highlighting internal strains amid regional tensions.

A bloc of 36 Democrats joined Senator Bernie Sanders on Wednesday in an effort to block US arms sales to Israel, a bid rooted in anger over Gaza operations and wider regional confrontations with Iran. The initiative aimed to constrain a cornerstone of Washington's security support for Tel Aviv, setting up a clash with Republican lawmakers who argued that arms deliveries strengthen deterrence and ally interoperability. The failure of the measure did not erase the political symbolism, however, as it underscored a growing fault line within the Democratic Party between progressive voices and traditional pro-Israel bipartisan support. The posture from Sanders and his allies reflects a broader strategic debate about how the United States should balance moral concerns with strategic commitments in a volatile Middle East.