Washington, DC (April 13, 2026)

Sen. Bernie Sanders is moving to force a Senate vote this week on legislation aimed at blocking a major U.S. arms transfer to Israel, escalating his latest challenge to continued American military support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government amid the war in Gaza. Sanders said the package he is targeting is worth nearly $500 million and includes bombs and bulldozers.

The Vermont independent, who caucuses with Democrats, has repeatedly used joint resolutions of disapproval to compel Senate consideration of weapons sales to Israel. The approach does not guarantee success, but it does force lawmakers to take a public position on a politically divisive issue that has deepened splits inside Washington, particularly among Democrats.

Sanders has sharply criticized Israel’s military campaign and argued that the United States should not continue supplying offensive weapons while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains severe. His latest effort follows similar attempts earlier this year. In March, he filed resolutions seeking to block nearly $659 million in offensive weaponry for Israel, including bomb-related sales.

Previous efforts to stop arms transfers through the Senate have fallen well short of passage, underscoring the difficulty of translating growing criticism into legislative action. Even so, the renewed push is expected to keep pressure on lawmakers as debate continues over the U.S.-Israel relationship, regional conflict, and the extent of American involvement in the fighting.

The upcoming vote is likely to serve as another test of how much support exists in Congress for restricting military aid to Israel during a period of heightened tension in the Middle East. While the measure faces long odds, it is poised to intensify scrutiny of future arms deals and sharpen the policy divide on Capitol Hill in the days ahead.