The Hill: Some Democratic leaders unhappy with U.S. arms sales to Israel

Some of President Joe Biden's top Senate allies are criticizing the administration's moves on Israel, including the recent approval of arms sales that bypassed Congress, while also calling on Israelis to halt intense fighting in Gaza, writes The Hill.

Authors Alex Gangitano and Al Weaver quote Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who said, "The U.S. must not write a blank check for [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's] war in Gaza and his right-wing government, which has demonstrated a gross disregard for Palestinian civilians. If the Biden administration won't be transparent with Congress and the American people, Congress should act and close these loopholes for arm sales for Israel."

Another critic of the White House's decision, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), stated, "The Administration's decision to repeatedly short-circuit what is already a quick time frame for congressional review undermines transparency and weakens accountability. The public deserves answers."

In late December 2023, the U.S. State Department approved a possible sale of $147.5 million worth of 155 mm shells to Israel.

The Hill notes that on January 3, the White House received key backing from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who said, "The State Department believes, as I believe, that Israel needs to get the materials it needs to defend itself against Hamas."

Others on the left, however, have grown increasingly skeptical with the Israelis. For example, former U.S. presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on lawmakers to withhold more than $10 billion in military funding for the country, arguing that it would be used to keep up Israel's "grossly disproportionate" and "immoral" war in Gaza.

"While we recognize that Hamas' barbaric attack began this war, we must also recognize that Israel's military response has been grossly disproportionate, immoral, and in violation of international law," Sanders said.

Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine (Va.) and Peter Welch (Vt.) also opposed arms shipments to Israel.