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Senate majority leader says Democrats may impose conditions for aid to Israel

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Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders’s (VT) proposal to make the United States’ aid to Israel conditional was voted down in the Senate, 72 to 11.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer (NY) indicated that his fellow Democrats may discuss connecting aid to Israel to its meeting certain conditions, although he didn’t describe what those conditions might be.

This comes just a day after Progressive Senator Bernie Sanders’s (VT) proposal to make the United States’ aid to Israel conditional on its compliance with foreign policy requirements, including a review of whether Israel was committing human rights abuses in its war in Gaza.

Senator Schumer didn’t emphasize that conditions were indeed on the table, rather, he mentioned the conditions as a quick answer to a journalist’s question about whether the Biden Administration’s support of Israel and its war effort would hurt Democrats in the upcoming election.

Schumer replied, “On conditions, our caucus is discussing it and will continue to look for the best way forward.”

He promptly added, “As I’ve said there are four goals we have when it comes to the war: Radically reduce the threat from Hamas, free the hostages, get humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in Gaza who need that help, and Israel should try to reduce the number of civilian casualties.”

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While Senator Schumer emphasized eliminating the Hamas threat and freeing hostages, Progressive lawmakers, including Bernie Sanders, have advocated cutting or making aid to Israel condition on its meeting US foreign policy standards.

Sanders’ proposal required a full report of the IDF’s conduct in Gaza within 30 days before the $10 billion aid package could be released.

The proposal was voted down in the Senate Failing with a 72 to 11.

Despite the resolution’s defeat, it highlighted growing concerns among some Democrats, particularly the left wing, and a few Republican libertarians who generally oppose foreign aid. “We must ensure that US aid is being used in accordance with human rights and our own laws,” Sanders emphasized in his speech before the vote.