US Senate to vote on Bernie Sanders-led effort to stop arms sales to Israel

On Wednesday, the US Senate will hold a vote on whether to approve the Pentagon’s request to send another $20bn in armaments to Israel, among them 120mm tank rounds, high explosive mortar rounds, F-15IA fighter aircraft, and joint direct attack munitions, known as JDAMs, which are precision systems for otherwise indiscriminate or "dumb" bombs. 

Separate resolutions are being brought forward for each weapon type, including its cost to US taxpayers. However, together, the initiative is known as the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs). 

Congress, as the nation’s purse, regulates the sale and export of weapons through the Foreign Assistance Act and the Arms Export Control Act. By law, it cannot transfer weapons to governments or entities committing human rights violations.

But year after year, Washington has made its ally Israel the exception. 

As a result of intensive lobbying from groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and The Democratic Majority For Israel, no arms transfer to Israel has been blocked.

Read more: US Senate to vote on Bernie Sanders-led effort to stop arms sales to Israel