Progressive House Democrats Pushing Back Against $26 Billion Aid Package for Israel

Progressive House Democrats Push Back Against $26 Billion Aid Package for Israel

In a bold move to challenge President Biden’s support for Israel’s tactics in Gaza, a group of left-leaning House Democrats is urging their colleagues to oppose the $26 billion aid package for Israel. The progressive leaders in the House are framing the upcoming vote as a crucial moral choice, akin to past decisions on authorizing and funding the Iraq war.

While the bill is expected to pass on Saturday, progressive Democrats are working to gather a sizable bloc of opposition within their party. They estimate that 40 to 60 members may vote against the aid package, signaling a significant shift in Congress’s traditionally bipartisan support for Israel.

The legislation includes $13 billion in military assistance to Israel as it continues its offensive in Gaza, along with funds for Ukraine, Taiwan, and other American allies. However, progressive Democrats argue that providing more offensive weaponry to Israel without conditions would effectively endorse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s prosecution of the war, which has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza.

Representative Ro Khanna of California emphasized the need for defensive weapons for Israel but condemned the provision of bombs and weapons for offensive purposes. He stressed that the aid package should not support the ongoing conflict that is causing harm to innocent Palestinian civilians.

The pushback against the aid package reflects the growing discontent within the Democratic Party over U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. By opposing the bill, progressive Democrats aim to pressure President Biden to reconsider aid conditions and halt future offensive weapons transfers to Israel.

Saturday’s vote is expected to be a critical moment for Democrats to signal their stance on the conflict in Gaza and influence the Biden administration’s approach to the Israeli government. Representative Greg Casar of Texas expressed hope that a substantial number of Democrats opposing the bill would demonstrate a significant segment of the United States that opposes expanding and widening wars.

The outcome of the vote will not only impact U.S. foreign policy but also serve as a test of the Democratic Party’s unity and its ability to address the complexities of the Israel-Gaza conflict.