*

Senate votes defeating three resolutions show strong

bipartisan

support for Israel

*

Sanders argues military aid violates U.S. law on human

rights

*

Opponents cite threats to Israel from Hamas, Hezbollah,

and Iran

(Updates with third vote, more context.)

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON, Nov 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on

Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to block three resolutions that

would have halted the transfer of some U.S. weapons to Israel,

introduced by progressives concerned about the human rights

catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza.

All of the votes in favor came from the Democratic caucus,

while "no" votes came from both Democrats and Republicans,

underscoring the divide within President Biden's Democratic

party over policy toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin

Netanyahu's government.

Seventy-nine of the 100 senators voted against advancing a

resolution that would have blocked sales of tank rounds to

Israel, while 18 approved it and one voted present.

Seventy-eight opposed a second measure, which would have stopped

the shipment of mortar rounds, while 19 supported it and one

voted present.

And 80 voted against a third measure that would have stopped

shipments of joint direct attack munitions (JDAMS) kits, with 17

in favor and one voting present. The kits, which convert a

standard unguided bomb using fins and a GPS guidance system into

a guided weapon, are made by Boeing ( BA ).

The "resolutions of disapproval" were filed by Senator

Bernie Sanders, a progressive independent who caucuses with

Democrats, and co-sponsored by a handful of Democrats who also

have been critics of the treatment of civilians in the war.

A decades-long tradition of strong bipartisan support for

Israel in Congress meant the resolutions were never likely to

pass, but backers hoped significant support in the Senate would

encourage Israel's government and Biden's administration to do

more to protect Palestinian civilians.

Sanders had filed a total of six resolutions, covering some

$20 billion in weapons for Israel, but brought up only three for

votes this week.

The Biden administration opposed the resolutions. In a list

of 11 talking points sent to Democratic senators, it said, among

other things, that providing military equipment to Israel is

investment in Israel's long-term security, as it faces threats

from Iran and elsewhere, and that the administration is "working

constantly" to improve conditions in Gaza.

HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE

Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people has been

displaced and the enclave is at risk of famine, more than a year

into Israel's war against Hamas in the Palestinian enclave. Gaza

health officials say more than 43,922 Palestinians have been

killed in Israel's offensive.

Sanders said the military aid to Israel violates U.S. law

barring weapons sales to human rights abusers, noting the many

deaths of children and older Palestinians, and accusing Israel

of blocking aid shipments.

"It is time to tell the Netanyahu government that they

cannot use U.S. taxpayer dollars and American weapons in

violation of U.S. and international law and our moral values,"

Sanders said in a Senate speech before the vote.

Opponents said the timing of the resolutions was

inappropriate as Israel faces threats from militant groups like

Hamas and Hezbollah, and arch-enemy Iran.

"Israel is surrounded by enemies dedicated to its

annihilation," the Senate's Democratic majority leader, Chuck

Schumer, said in a Senate speech before the votes.

But it could have been the last chance to stop any weapons

sales before Republican President-elect Donald Trump takes

office in January.

Many U.S. Muslims voted against Trump's Democratic opponent,

Vice President Kamala Harris, in this month's presidential

election, citing the administration's support for Israel. But

Trump in his first term strongly supported the conservative

Netanyahu's government.

Israel says it has been working to address humanitarian

needs and the main problem with aid deliveries was U.N.

distribution challenges. Its embassy in Washington did not

respond this week to a request for comment on Sanders'

resolutions.

Biden, whose term ends in January, has strongly backed

Israel since Hamas-led gunmen attacked in October 2023, killing

1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to

Israeli tallies.

The Biden administration last month told Israel it had 30

days to improve the flow of aid to Gaza or risk consequences to

U.S. military assistance. After that period, Washington said on

Nov. 12 it concluded that Israel had made progress and was not

currently impeding aid to Gaza. Many aid groups disagreed.

U.S. law gives Congress the right to stop major foreign

weapons sales by passing resolutions of disapproval. Although no

such resolution has both passed Congress and survived a

presidential veto, the law requires the Senate to vote if a

resolution is filed. Such resolutions have at times led to angry

debates embarrassing to past presidents.