Senator Bernie Sanders plans to force votes Wednesday on resolutions that would block nearly $447 million in U.S. weapons sales to Israel, marking the latest congressional test of support for the longtime American ally amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.

The independent Vermont senator, who caucuses with Democrats, will call up two resolutions for votes: one halting a $151.8 million sale of 12,000 1,000-pound bombs to Israel's military, and another preventing a $295 million bulldozer sale. The measures represent Sanders' effort to halt U.S. military aid to what he calls "the extremist Netanyahu government."

The congressional action coincides with protests in New York, where dozens of demonstrators gathered Monday outside Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's Manhattan office to oppose continued U.S. weapons shipments to Israel. The protesters, wearing shirts reading "FUND PEOPLE NOT BOMBS," included Chelsea Manning, actor Hannah Einbinder, and artist Molly Crabapple.

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested after the group blocked traffic on Third Avenue, including Manning, actor Hari Nef, and New York congressional candidate Darialeza Avila Chevalier. The demonstrations targeted both Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

In a statement, Sanders argued that opposing Israeli military actions under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not antisemitic, noting his own Jewish heritage and family history during the Holocaust. He called for Congress to end military aid to Israel as the country conducts military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and against Iran.

The resolutions will test Democratic support for Israel policy as the party navigates divisions over U.S. involvement in Middle East conflicts. The votes come as Israel continues military operations across multiple fronts in the region.