AGENCIES

A vote in the United States Senate to block military equipment for Israel this week ended in defeat. But rights advocates are hailing the result as an “inflection point” that shows growing frustration with Israeli policies.

Democratic senators overwhelmingly supported the measure on Wednesday, which aimed to stop the sale of military bulldozers to Israel. Only seven crossed party lines to join the Republican majority in sinking the bill in a 40-59 vote.

Activists are calling the tally a sign of “historic” progress, reports Al Jazeera online. Beth Miller, the political director at the advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, said it was “shameful” that US lawmakers continue to vote to arm Israel.

In her view, the 40 votes in favour of Wednesday’s resolution “shows massive cracks in the political pillar that upholds the US-Israel alliance”.

“While the measure didn’t pass, the vote makes clear that a majority of Senate Democrats now oppose unconditional aid to Israel, aligning with the views of most Americans,” said Hassan el-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a peace advocacy group.

“This was not only a vote about arms sales, but a vote against further escalation, including a wider war with Iran.”

The bill, introduced by progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, came amid growing anger over conflict with Iran, which President Trump launched jointly with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu without congressional authorisation.