US senators introduce competing resolutions on Israel

Two US Senators have introduced competing resolutions on the crisis in Gaza - one calling for an immediate ceasefire and the other voicing support for Israel.

"Whereas every Palestinian life matters. And whereas, every Israeli life matters," says the resolution introduced by Bernie Sanders and backed by several Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy. 

"Now therefore be it resolved that the Senate urges an immediate ceasefire to prevent any further loss of life, and further escalation of conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories and supports diplomatic efforts to resolve the Israeli Palestinian conflict to uphold international law and to protect the human rights of Israelis and Palestinians."

Sanders delivered an impassioned defence of Palestinian rights while introducing the resolution on the Senate floor on Wednesday.

He slammed the Republican-led resolution introduced by Rick Scott for failing to express sympathy for the killing of Palestinians. In fact, Scott's resolution only mentions the word "Palestinian" to refer to what it called "Hamas and its Palestinian terrorist allies".

Both resolutions, if passed, would be symbolic measures that are non-binding.