In a historic shift within the U.S. Senate, a majority of Democrats voted on Wednesday night, July 30, 2025, to block weapons sales to Israel amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Although the measures introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders ultimately failed to pass, the votes marked the first time that more than half of Senate Democrats opposed such arms transfers, signaling growing unease within the party about Israel’s military campaign.
Sanders put forward two key resolutions: one aimed at halting the sale of approximately $675 million worth of bombs, munition kits, and related services to Israel, and another seeking to block the sale of tens of thousands of assault rifles. The assault rifles measure failed by a vote of 72-27, with 17 Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition, while the bombs and materiel resolution was defeated 73-24. Notably, twelve Democrats changed their position from a similar vote held in April 2025, reflecting a shifting sentiment.
Senator Sanders hailed the outcome as evidence that "the tide is turning," stating, "The American people do not want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza. The Democrats are moving forward on this issue, and I look forward to Republican support in the near future." This development comes amid widespread criticism of Israel’s military actions, especially as the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorates.
A July 2025 Gallup poll underscored this shift in public opinion: only 8% of Democrats supported Israel’s military action in Gaza, compared with 71% of Republicans. Overall, just 32% of Americans approved of Israel’s role in the conflict, the lowest figure since the question was first posed in November 2023.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, who had previously supported military aid to Israel, expressed concern that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "gone too far," writing on X that "The humanitarian conditions in Gaza are appalling, unconscionable, and cruel. Humanitarian aid must start immediately." Similarly, Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who had earlier voted against Sanders’ resolutions, supported the latest measures to "send a message: the Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy." In total, 26 Democrats joined Sanders in opposing future weapons sales, including Senators Angela Alsobrooks, Tammy Baldwin, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Tammy Duckworth, Martin Heinrich, Mazie Hirono, Angus King, Amy Klobuchar, Tim Kaine, Andy Kim, Ben Ray Luján, Ed Markey, Jeff Merkley, Chris Murphy, Jon Ossoff, Jack Reed, Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael Warnock, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Brian Schatz.
However, 17 Democrats sided with Republicans to block the measures. Senator Cory Booker explained his vote against blocking weapons sales as a concern that it "would restrict our country’s ability to provide future security guarantees without achieving the goal of ending this war now or increasing vital humanitarian aid." Republican senators unanimously opposed the resolutions, with Senator James E. Risch of Idaho calling them "misguided resolutions" that would "abandon America’s closest ally in the Middle East." Yet, some conservative voices outside the Senate, such as Representatives Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have voiced criticism of U.S. support for Israel, with Greene labeling the Gaza crisis a "genocide."
The vote comes amid intensified scrutiny over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where an Israeli military blockade imposed since March 2025 has severely restricted food, fuel, and aid supplies. According to Gaza’s Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 154 people, including 89 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition since the conflict began, while the United Nations reports more than 20,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition since April 2025. Hundreds of Palestinians have also been killed by Israeli troops near aid sites in recent weeks.
Despite these reports, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denied any policy of starvation, asserting on July 27, 2025, "There is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza. We enable humanitarian aid throughout the duration of the war to enter Gaza – otherwise, there would be no Gazans." Netanyahu also accused Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid. Former President Donald Trump expressed skepticism of Netanyahu’s claims, saying on July 28, 2025, that he did "not particularly" agree with the assessment, citing visible evidence of hunger and pledging to increase involvement by opening food centers in the region.
Meanwhile, on the international stage, Slovenia became the first European Union nation to impose a complete ban on weapons trade with Israel, announced on August 1, 2025. The Slovenian government declared it was acting "independently" due to the EU’s inability to adopt unified measures amid internal disagreements. Slovenia has not issued any export permits for military weapons and equipment to Israel since October 2023 and has been outspoken in its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
An Israeli official dismissed the Slovenian embargo as "completely meaningless," noting that Israel does not procure defense materials from Slovenia. Nonetheless, Slovenia’s government has taken further steps, such as recognizing a Palestinian state in June 2024 and banning two far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, from entering the country in July 2025, labeling them "persona non grata" for inciting violence and human rights abuses.
In Jerusalem on August 1, 2025, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that Israel risks diplomatic isolation amid growing international outrage over Gaza. Wadephul emphasized Germany’s responsibility to prevent this and stressed that Israel must maintain friends and partners worldwide. During meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Wadephul discussed the humanitarian situation and was scheduled to visit the West Bank for further talks.
France, the United Kingdom, and Canada announced plans this week to recognize a Palestinian state, with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers indicating that Canberra would likely follow. Wadephul noted that while Germany opposes unilateral recognition of Palestine, it might reconsider if peace negotiations for a two-state solution do not resume.
Sa’ar expressed Israel’s opposition to recognizing a Palestinian state, referring to the West Bank by its biblical names, "Judea and Samaria," and asserting Israel’s right to settle there. He accused the Palestinian Authority of inciting hatred and supporting terrorism and warned that Palestinian control over borders and airspace could lead to an influx of Iranian weapons into Israel. Sa’ar also condemned illegal Palestinian construction in Area C of the West Bank, calling any tolerance of it "hypocrisy." He concluded that a Palestinian state cannot be established because "Israel cannot compromise on its security."
The ongoing war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, has resulted in more than 60,000 deaths in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The toll includes both civilians and combatants but cannot be independently verified. Over 450 Israeli soldiers have also died in the conflict.
As the crisis deepens, the U.S. Senate’s vote and international moves such as Slovenia’s arms embargo and growing recognition of Palestine underscore a shifting global stance. The humanitarian toll in Gaza, combined with political realignments, suggests that the long-standing U.S.-Israel alliance faces new challenges amid one of the most devastating conflicts in recent memory.
