The U.S. Senate has voted to table a resolution that called for the State Department to investigate Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The intention of this resolution was to assess whether Israel has committed human rights violations during its military campaign in the territory.
Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in airstrikes and a ground invasion in Gaza. This military response was in reaction to terrorist attacks by Hamas fighters, which resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 240 others. The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on Gaza, with over 20,000 Gazans killed and 85% of its population displaced. Reports indicate a dire humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands facing starvation in the region of 2.3 million people.
The Biden administration, led by President Joe Biden, has consistently urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reduce civilian casualties. Despite these efforts, there has been growing frustration within the administration regarding the response from Israel. A Biden official recently expressed that the President’s patience is waning.
Notably, President Biden has authorized weapons sales to Israel on two occasions, bypassing Congress. This move has been met with criticism from some lawmakers. Senator Chris Van Hollen voiced his dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s response to Biden’s pleas, suggesting a dismissive attitude from the Israeli side.
The resolution, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in December, failed to pass with a vote of 72 to 11, with 17 senators abstaining due to travel delays. The resolution sought a report from the State Department, in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the Legal Adviser, on Israel’s human rights practices in Gaza.
The senators who voted against tabling the resolution were a mix of Democrats, one independent, and one Republican, highlighting a diverse but minority perspective on this issue.
