Majority Democratic Senators Vote to Limit Israeli Arms Sales Amid Gaza Protests

Recent Senate votes on blocking weapons sales to Israel amid worsening conditions in Gaza have revealed a significant shift within the Democratic caucus, with more than half supporting measures to halt arms sales. Senator Bernie Sanders led resolutions aiming to stop hundreds of millions of dollars in weapons transfers, which narrowly failed but marked the highest Democratic support to date. New Jersey Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim diverged on the issue, with Kim voting to block the sales, citing the humanitarian crisis, while Booker opposed the resolutions, advocating instead for a ceasefire and increased aid. Protesters have also mobilized against Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for backing arms sales, highlighting severe humanitarian impacts in Gaza, including starvation, displacement, and destruction of infrastructure. The debate reflects growing tensions within the party over U.S. support for Israel during the conflict, while some Democrats emphasize the need for humanitarian access and peace. These developments underscore mounting pressure on lawmakers to reconsider the U.S. role in the ongoing Gaza crisis.