Democrats Vote Against ‘Blank Check’ for Netanyahu’s Gaza Policies
Despite opposition, measure to speed US aid to Israel easily approved
Nearly 20 House Democrats took the extraordinary step of issuing a joint statement explaining why they voted against legislation to rush new US aid to Israel, calling it the “first official vote where we can weigh in on the direction of this war.”
Among the Democrats attached to the statement are some of the most outspoken progressives on Capitol Hill, including Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, of New York; Pramila Jayapal, of Washington State; and Ro Khanna and Barbara Lee, both of California.
The House approved $26.4 billion in aid for Israel, by a wide margin of 366-58, at a time when the Israeli government is conducting military operations in Gaza which have killed more than 34,000 Palestinians including thousands of children and women.
In all, 37 Democrats and 21 Republicans voted against the aid to Israel. The support for the Israeli government was one of four bills approved Saturday, which also includes new aid to Ukraine and US allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
Of the opponents to aid to Israel, 19 issued the joint statement.
Even many stalwart supporters of Israel — including President Biden — have criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s military and diplomatic policies in Gaza, in recent weeks and months.
“This is a moment of great consequence – the world is watching. Today is, in many ways, Congress’ first official vote where we can weigh in on the direction of this war. If Congress votes to continue to supply offensive military aid, we make ourselves complicit in this tragedy,” the statement said. “Our votes against H.R. 8034 are votes against supplying more offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere. We believe strongly in Israel’s right to self-defense and have joined colleagues previously in affirming our shared commitment.
“All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel,” the statement added. “To protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin.”
The Democrats behind the statement criticized Netanyahu, specifically.
“Benjamin Netanyahu appears willing to sacrifice the hostages while inflicting extraordinary suffering on the people of Gaza,” they said in the statement, referring to hostages taken during the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2024. “He is willing to expand this conflict to preserve his power at the expense of Israel’s safety. In recent weeks, reports have indicated that Netanyahu is moving closer to a full-scale invasion of the southern Gaza town of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians have taken shelter. When faced with the question of whether to provide offensive aid to further this conflict, we believe there is a moral imperative to find another path.
“Most Americans do not want our government to write a blank check to further Prime Minister Netanyahu’s war in Gaza. The United States needs to help Israel find a path to win the peace.”
Please support our work…
Please subscribe…