US House rejects bid to halt Israel aid as Democratic divide deepens

WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted down an amendment seeking to block American military aid to Israel, exposing growing divisions within the Democratic Party over Washington’s long-standing support for its Middle East ally and the ongoing war in Gaza.

The amendment, introduced by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky during debate on the State Department’s annual spending bill, was defeated by 314 votes to 104. Despite its failure, the proposal drew significant backing from lawmakers, with 103 Democrats and one Republican voting in favour — an unusually high level of support for a measure challenging US assistance to Israel.

Massie, a longtime critic of foreign aid, argued that continued military assistance was difficult to justify given the humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Gaza. Addressing lawmakers before the vote, he pointed to the heavy civilian toll and questioned whether American taxpayers should continue financing military support under the current circumstances.

Had it passed, the amendment would have prohibited funds in the appropriations bill from being used for Israel and blocked the $3.3 billion in annual US security assistance provided under a long-term bilateral agreement.

The debate unfolded against the backdrop of the devastating conflict that began after Hamas launched its October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which Israeli authorities say around 1,200 people were killed. Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military campaign has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians, while vast areas of the enclave have been destroyed and millions displaced. Hamas

Although the amendment stood little chance of becoming law — requiring Senate approval and likely facing a presidential veto — the vote underscored a significant political shift in Washington. Support for Israel, once a largely bipartisan consensus, is increasingly becoming a point of contention, particularly among progressive Democrats.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries opposed the amendment, calling it overly broad. In contrast, Assistant Democratic Leader Katherine Clark broke with party leadership and backed the proposal, arguing that the United States should not provide “a blank check” for military aid to countries that fail to meet American legal and moral standards.

The issue has also become a defining theme in Democratic primary races. Progressive candidates advocating tougher restrictions on military assistance to Israel have gained momentum in several contests, reflecting changing views among sections of the party’s voter base.

Political analysts believe the debate is far from over. Attention is now turning to Michigan’s August 4 primary elections, where US policy toward Israel is expected to remain a major campaign issue. The outcome could offer a clearer indication of whether the Democratic Party’s internal divide on Israel will continue to reshape American foreign policy ahead of the next congressional elections.