Progressive House Democrats Push Back Against $26 Billion Aid Package for Israel
In a bold move that could signal a shift in the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel, a group of left-leaning House Democrats is urging their colleagues to oppose a $26 billion aid package for the country. The move is seen as a way to send a strong message to President Biden about the party’s discontent over his support for Israel’s tactics in Gaza.
Progressive leaders in the House are framing the upcoming vote as a make-or-break moral choice, similar to Congress’s past decisions on authorizing and funding the Iraq war. They are working to gather a sizable bloc of Democratic opposition to the aid measure, which is expected to pass on Saturday.
While the bill is likely to pass, progressive Democrats estimate that 40 to 60 members of their party may oppose it. This would be a significant signal from Congress, where bipartisan support for Israel has traditionally been strong. The divisions within the Democratic Party over the war in Gaza are becoming more apparent, even as some Democrats, including President Biden, have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict.
The aid package includes $13 billion in military assistance to Israel, as well as funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and other American allies. Progressive Democrats argue that providing more offensive weaponry to Israel without conditions is morally and politically untenable, as it would effectively endorse Netanyahu’s prosecution of the war in Gaza.
While the Democrats leading the push against the aid package emphasize their support for Israel’s right to defend itself, they believe that providing additional offensive weapons to Netanyahu is not the path to peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians. They are calling for conditions on aid and a halt to future offensive weapons transfers.
The upcoming vote is expected to be a critical moment for Democrats who oppose continued U.S. backing for the war in Gaza. They hope that a substantial number of “no” votes will pressure the Biden administration to shift its approach to Israel and influence the Israeli government’s actions in the conflict.
Overall, the pushback against the aid package for Israel represents a minority within the Democratic caucus. However, these Democrats see their opposition as a strategy to push for change and highlight the risks President Biden faces among voters who are dissatisfied with his handling of the conflict.
As the House prepares to vote on the aid package, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
By Kayla Guo, Reporting from the Capitol
