A House amendment to strip foreign military aid to Israel revealed a sharp divide within the Democratic Party, highlighting growing pressure from progressive flank and shifting public opinion on the Israel-Gaza war.
A significant division within the Democratic Party over U.S. foreign military aid to Israel came to the forefront during a recent House vote on an amendment to strip such funding.
More than 100 Democrats supported the measure to eliminate the aid, while a nearly equal number opposed it. The amendment was proposed by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who argued that the $3.3 billion allocated for Israel could be more effectively used for domestic infrastructure projects like roads and bridges, as well as for veterans' needs, especially given rising national deficits. He also expressed concern that American weapons were being used against oftentimes innocent civilians.
While most Republicans voted to preserve the aid, the split among Democrats highlighted growing discontent with the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right government, particularly as the war in Gaza continues following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, although personally opposed to the amendment that would zero out the aid, acknowledged the shifting sentiment.
In a letter to colleagues before a private caucus meeting, Jeffries stated that American policy in the Middle East must change for the good of both Israel and the Palestinian people. He believes there are more decisive ways to achieve urgent change regarding Netanyahu's government. This internal debate occurs as the Democratic Party faces an energized progressive flank promoting democratic socialist candidates in key House races, notably in New York.
Traditionally, Democrats have upheld U.S. support for Israel, but a growing number have distanced themselves from Netanyahu's strategies amid the prolonged conflict. The Democratic Whip, Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, announced her support for the measure to withhold funds, aligning with the party's progressive wing.
Meanwhile, former Democratic leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland championed long-standing support for Israel and strongly opposed the amendment, warning it would dangerously undermine American national security and limit the ability to confront terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, which he said expressly target American citizens and military personnel. Lawmakers are feeling pressure from both sides as they prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.
Pro-Israel advocacy group AIPAC urged supporters to contact Congress to oppose the amendment, while the progressive organization J Street gave lawmakers leeway to express their views, even though J Street itself opposed the amendment as poorly drafted and overly broad. J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami noted that for many Democrats, the vote served as a rare opportunity to register opposition to how U.S. military assistance has been used by the Israeli government in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
He emphasized that what unites the majority of Democrats is far more significant than this single vote as they work toward the security and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians. Public opinion also reflects deep divisions, with recent polling indicating that about one-third of U.S. adults, including roughly half of Democrats, believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians-a charge vehemently denied by Israel and the U.S. government.
The rift extends beyond Democrats, as Speaker Mike Johnson also faces internal divisions among America First Republicans leaning toward reduced foreign military spending
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