Jeffries thwarts the Left, opposes ending all aid to Israel
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced he will oppose an amendment by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) that seeks to cut off aid to Israel.Jeffries described the amendment as overly broad,warning it coudl restrict humanitarian aid,refugee resettlement,peace efforts,and U.S. embassy activities. His stance reflects ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party, especially on support for Israel. The amendment aims to cancel $3.3 billion in Israeli foreign military aid as part of the annual foreign affairs funding bill. Jeffries expressed that there are more effective ways to advocate for change regarding Israel’s government, particularly amid recent calls for reduced U.S.aid following Israel’s intentions to decrease dependence on American arms. despite opposition, some Democrats, including Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar, support the measure, which has been discussed in party meetings. The idea of ending direct military aid to Israel has gained traction in Washington, especially after israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated plans to cut dependence on U.S. military assistance, arguing Israel’s economic capacity to fund its own weapons systems, including the Iron Dome missile defense. the amendment dose not affect Israel’s additional $500 million annual defense support for weaponry. Last year, a similar vote attracted limited support, indicating divided opinions on the issue among lawmakers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) announced Tuesday that he will oppose an amendment aiming to cut off aid to Israel.
In a letter to his colleagues, Jeffries wrote that the amendment, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), is “overly broad” and could limit “humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building and U.S. embassy operations.” The Democratic leader’s decision comes as support for Israel has become a splintering issue in the Democratic Party, particularly on the left flank.
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The legislation will be voted on as an amendment to the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, an annual foreign affairs spending bill, and would cancel the $3.3 billion in foreign military aid Israel receives.
“In my view, there are more decisive ways to achieve the urgent change necessary when it comes to the far-right Netanyahu government,” Jeffries wrote in a letter to his party, Punchbowl News reported.
Before Jeffries’s letter, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairman Greg Casar (D-TX) announced his support for the measure and could bring much of his nearly 100-member caucus with him.
Democrats have fleshed out this decision in many conference meetings since the amendment came up, as Democratic leadership held out on making a formal decision.
Ending direct military aid has picked up steam in Washington after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he wants his country to reduce its “dependence” on the United States.
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“Israel has an advanced economy and is capable of paying for its own sophisticated weapons, as the Prime Minister acknowledged,” Jeffries added in the letter.
The Massie amendment does not touch an additional $500 million Israel gets each year in defensive weaponry, including its Iron Dome missile systems. Repealing that funding only attracted four Democrats and two Republicans, one of them Massie, when put to a vote last year.
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