Senate Overwhelmingly Kills Resolution Seeking Information About Israeli Actions in Gaza

The Senate voted on Tuesday night to table a resolution that would require the Department of State to produce a report about Israel’s actions in Gaza since launching its military campaign in the territory. Its aim would have been to determine whether Israel has committed human rights violations.

Israel has been carrying out airstrikes and conducting a ground invasion in Gaza since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in which Hamas fighters killed 1,200 Israelis and abducted 240 others. Since that time, more than 20,000 Gazans have been killed and 85% of Gaza’s population has been displaced. Hundreds of thousands are reportedly starving in the territory of 2.3 million.

President Joe Biden and his administration have repeatedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work to minimize civilian casualties, but officials have expressed frustration. One Biden official said this week, “The president’s patience is running out.”

Nevertheless, Biden has twice bypassed Congress to approve weapons sales to Israel.

“At every juncture, Netanyahu has given Biden the finger,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen. “They are pleading with the Netanyahu coalition, but getting slapped in the face over and over again.”

Van Hollen was one of just 11 senators to vote against tabling the resolution, which was introduced in December by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The final vote tally was 72 to 11. Seventeen senators did not vote, as many of them experienced flight delays traveling back to Washington, D.C.

The resolution stated in part:

The Senate requests that the Secretary of State, not later than 30 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution, transmit to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2304(c)), a statement regarding Israel’s human rights practices that has been prepared in collaboration with the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the Legal Adviser.

Nine Democrats, one independent, and one Republican voted against killing the measure:

Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA)

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM)

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)

Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA)

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR)

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Sen Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)

Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)