Why It Matters

The Senate this week rejected an effort to require the State Department to report on Israel’s human rights practices and the killings of American citizens in the West Bank.

On Tuesday, the Senate voted 47–51 on a motion to discharge a resolution requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA). While the motion failed, it was supported by nearly every Senate Democrat, highlighting a shift that has taken place in the party as its base has become increasingly critical of U.S. military assistance to Israel.

S.Res. 852 was introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to seek accountability for the deaths of nine American citizens in the West Bank since January 2022. Van Hollen’s office said the nine Americans were killed by Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces and that no one has been held accountable for their deaths. The broader death toll extends further back, with Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) documenting 14 American citizens killed by Israeli forces or settlers since 2003, beginning with Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an Israeli military bulldozer in 2003.

The Big Picture

If approved, the resolution would have required the State Department to provide a report related to investigations into the killing of U.S. citizens by Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the overall human rights situation in the West Bank. Van Hollen and his colleagues announced the measure after repeatedly pressing the administration for investigations and accountability, but receiving no response.

Supporters of the measure said that Senators were voting on whether to require a report, not on a measure that would directly terminate security assistance. Section 502B(c), however, provides that Congress cannot provide security assistance if the requested report is not delivered within 30 days. Additionally, after receiving the report, Congress can consider a joint resolution to terminate, restrict, or continue assistance.

Partisan Perspectives

The Senate vote largely followed party lines, with 44 Democrats and both independents supporting the motion and 50 Republicans opposing it. Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the motion, while Paul was the only Republican to support it. Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) did not vote.

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) said Congress has a responsibility to seek answers when an American citizen is killed overseas, while Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and colleagues described the resolution as seeking a report on violence in the West Bank.

Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) called the resolution “misguided” and argued that Democrats were “trying to distort reality for political gain.” Daines contended that the resolution’s objective was to cut off security assistance to Israel rather than obtain accountability.

The Trump administration strongly opposed S.Res. 852, arguing that the additional reporting requirement would be duplicative and distract from regional security concerns.

The Bottom Line

The motion to discharge S.Res 852 failed, meaning the State Department will not be required to report on Israel’s human rights practices unless the Senate takes further action to advance it.

Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article