A faction of progressive House Democrats is rallying against the proposed $26 billion aid package for Israel, aiming to increase opposition within the party and send a clear message to President Biden regarding dissatisfaction with his support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Presenting the upcoming vote as a critical moral decision comparable to Congress’s past decisions on the Iraq war, progressive leaders in the House are mobilizing a significant bloc of Democratic members to reject the aid package, which is set to pass on Saturday and become law soon.
“In hindsight, many regretted allowing those decisions to proceed,” stated Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington and chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, referring to the Iraq war debate. “I believe this is a pivotal moment.”
Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, described it as a “defining vote,” emphasizing that they are either endorsing the violence or standing against it.
While the bill, which includes around $13 billion in military aid to Israel amid its operations in Gaza, is expected to pass the House, along with funding for Ukraine, Taiwan, and other allies, progressive Democrats anticipate that 40 to 60 party members may oppose it on Saturday. This would be a significant departure from the usual bipartisan support for Israel in Congress and underscore the internal divisions within the Democratic Party over the Gaza conflict.
The proposed legislation allocates $5 billion for Israel’s defense capabilities and $9 billion for global humanitarian aid, including assistance for civilians in Gaza. However, it does not impose additional restrictions on how Israel can utilize American military aid or prevent future arms transfers, a move that some Democrats have advocated for.
Those opposing the aid bill emphasized their support for Israel’s right to self-defense and would vote in favor of military aid to enhance its defense systems. They condemned the recent terrorist attack by Hamas and called for the release of hostages held by the group.
However, they argued that approving offensive weaponry without conditions would be an unethical and politically risky stance, effectively endorsing Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, including his plans to invade Rafah against the Biden administration’s objections.
2024-04-20 14:47:55
Original from www.nytimes.com