- WIADOMOŚCI
United States' support policy for Israel. A change on the horizon?
A vote was held in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding a total halt of aid to Israel. While the amendment ultimately failed, it was not met with complete rejection by members of Congress.
On Wednesday, July 15, the House of Representatives rejected an amendment revising the foreign spending bill. The proposal called for a total withdrawal of aid to Israel, which includes $3.3 billion in military and humanitarian support. 314 congressmen voted to reject the amendment, while 104 voted against the rejection and 10 abstained. The vast majority of the „no” votes against the rejection came from the Democratic camp, where 103 representatives voted to halt aid, 98 voted in favor of its continued provision, and 10 chose the „present” option, effectively abstaining.
Democrats voting for the amendment explained that their vote was not intended as opposition to humanitarian aid, but as a firm protest against Israel’s policies in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon. „Americans are demanding an end to the taxpayer-funded financing of the Israeli military,” stated Greg Casar of the Progressive Caucus.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries voted against the amendment, but for the first time called for a „fundamental reset” of U.S. relations with Israel. He suggested that future military aid should be conditioned on the respect for Palestinian rights.
Despite the amendment’s rejection, a shift in the sentiment of American politicians is observable. An increasing number are attempting to break away from the long-standing mainstream of unconditional aid to Israel due to the policies of the government in Jerusalem. The decisions of Democratic politicians align with the voices of their constituents. According to a May poll by the New York Times/Siena College, 74 percent of Democratic Party voters oppose the continued provision of economic and military aid to Israel.
