Democratic 'rebels' in US Senate vote to potentially freeze aid to Israel; Warning to Biden?

Democratic rebels in US: In a significant move, a faction of Senate Democrats voted in favor of advancing a resolution that could lead to the freezing of US military aid to Israel, delivering a stern message to President Joe Biden. This latest development further complicates the Biden administration's stance on the conflict in Gaza, posing challenges within the Democratic Party.

Sanders' Resolution Draws Attention

Spearheaded by Senator Bernie Sanders, the resolution highlights the increasing discontent within a segment of the Democratic Party concerning the civilian casualties in Gaza, which have now reportedly surpassed 24,000. While the Senate ultimately voted 72 to 11 to reject the resolution, the notable support from Democratic senators signals a noteworthy shift in perspective.

Dissenting Democrats and a Lone Republican

Nine Democrats joined Sanders in supporting the resolution, alongside Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky, known for his frequent criticism of US foreign aid. Sanders, a prominent critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza situation, denounced it as "immoral."

Sanders Criticizes US Complicity

Expressing his concerns over the rising death toll and the extensive use of American-supplied weaponry, Sanders argued that the United States is complicit in the suffering of millions of Palestinians. He specifically highlighted the impact on hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza, stating that they are "starving right before our eyes."

Israel's Use of American-Supplied Munitions

Sanders cited media reports indicating that Israel dropped over 22,000 American-supplied bombs on Gaza within a six-week period. This included powerful 2,000-pound bombs capable of devastating entire neighborhoods, intensifying the humanitarian crisis.

Tensions Between Biden and Netanyahu

The voting within the Democratic Party comes against the backdrop of growing tensions between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the management of the conflict. The strained relationship is exemplified by the leaders' lack of communication since a tense call on December 23.

Biden's Call for Reduced Civilian Casualties

The Biden administration has applied pressure on Netanyahu's government to minimize civilian casualties and expedite the cessation of intense fighting. However, these calls have yielded limited results, with Netanyahu showing reluctance to reengage with Palestinian leaders post-conflict.

Political Liabilities for Biden

The handling of the Gaza conflict has become a political liability for President Biden. Polls indicate a growing disapproval of his response, particularly among younger voters. A New York Times/Siena College poll revealed that 57% of registered voters nationwide disapprove of Biden's handling of the conflict, including 37% of Democrats.

Youth Disapproval Raises Concerns

Of particular concern for Biden's political advisers is the disapproval among registered voters aged 18 to 29, with 72% expressing dissatisfaction with his performance on the issue. This demographic, which strongly supported Biden in 2020, now poses a significant challenge.

Internal Strife on Foreign Policy: The Democratic 'rebels' challenging Biden's stance on aid to Israel signify a deeper divide within the party, as the Gaza conflict continues to draw attention and spark dissent.