US senator vows to block arms sales to Israel

WASHINGTON

US Senator Bernie Sanders pledged Monday to do everything he can to block arms sales to Israel.

"The U.S. must not send more bombs to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s extremist government, which has already killed 45,000 people; destroyed Gaza's housing, health care, and educational systems; and caused starvation by blocking humanitarian aid,” Sanders said on X.

"I will do all that I can to block these arms sales," he added.

His remarks came after the State Department informally notified Congress of an $8 billion proposed arms deal with Israel, including munitions for fighter jets and artillery shells.

The proposed sale, pending congressional approval, includes AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to defend against airborne threats, including drones, 155mm artillery shells, small diameter bombs, 500-pound warheads, bomb fuses and other related equipment.

The US faces criticism for providing military aid to Israel, as more than 45,650 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

Nearly 1,200 people were killed in the cross-border attack, according to Israeli figures.

Several human rights groups, former State Department officials and Democratic lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to halt arms transfers to Israel, citing violations of US laws as well as international laws and human rights. Israel denies the allegations.