Almost All GOP Senators Block Resolution To Require Report On Israeli Violence In West Bank

Almost every Republican senator shot down a resolution Tuesday that sought answers regarding increased violence in the West Bank by the Israelis.

The resolution would have required the State Department to provide lawmakers with reports on violence and human rights violations in the territory. It failed in a 51 to 47 vote, with almost all Republican senators voting against it.

Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul voted “yes” on the measure, while Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman voted against it. Republican Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana did not vote.

Democratic Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Tim Kaine of Virginia, along with independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, introduced the measure in August. The three senators were joined by eight of their colleagues, including Democratic Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.

Van Hollen vowed Democrats would not stop fighting for “justice.”

“Tonight, 47 Senators supported my resolution to get accountability for the 9 Americans killed on the West Bank & for Palestinians who face injustices daily,” Van Hollen said on X. “That’s more support than we’ve ever had in this fight. Republicans blocked us, but we won’t stop until we get justice.”

“In January 2024 I forced a vote to investigate human rights abuses by Israel in Gaza. Only 11 Senators supported it,” Sanders said on X Tuesday. “Today, 47 Senators voted on a similar resolution to investigate Israel’s actions in the West Bank. Listen to the American people: NO MORE MILITARY AID TO ISRAEL.”

The resolution stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was not held accountable for the deaths of the nine Americans. Omar Assad, a 78-year-old U.S. citizen, was stopped at a checkpoint in the village of Jiljilya, dragged by Israeli soldiers out of his vehicle and died of a stress-induced heart attack while left lying on the ground with his hands bound behind his back, according to the resolution.

In 2024, two 17-year-old Americans were shot by Israelis while driving, according to the resolution. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar was shot in the head in January 2024 by an Israeli settler, an off-duty Israeli police officer and an Israel Defense Forces soldier, while 17-year-old Mohammad Ahmad Alkhdour was fatally shot twice in the head by Israeli forces in February 2024.

“This Administration has said ensuring the safety and security of American citizens abroad is one of its highest priorities,” Van Hollen said in a press release. “And yet, as we’ve seen violence rise in the West Bank, American citizens have been killed time and again, and they have received no justice and no accountability. It’s past time we get answers on their deaths – and on the growing violent instability in the West Bank and the injustices facing Palestinian civilians on a daily basis.”

The resolution drew upon Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to require the State Department to provide information on any country receiving U.S. assistance and its observance of human rights, according to Van Hollen’s press release. After introduction, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has ten days to consider it, and if it fails to do so, it can be taken up for a floor vote.

Israel has become a divisive topic among lawmakers, particularly Democrats, as 103 House Democrats voted for Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to slash $3.3 billion in foreign aid to Israel. In April 2024, 37 Democrats voted for a similar measure that would have cut aid to Israel.

Democratic California Rep. Ro Khana said he was detained by Israelis in the West Bank in July.