The US House of Representatives voted 314 to 104 to defeat an amendment to cut off aid to Israel, despite nearly half of Democrats supporting it. The amendment, offered by Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, would have barred any funding in the appropriations bill from being used for Israel and blocked $3.3 billion in annual security assistance.
Shift in Democratic Support
The vote reflects a growing rupture between US progressives and Israel over its attacks in Gaza. Left-wing Democrats are pushing to end US aid to Israel as they campaign in midterm election primaries, while moderate Democrats promote sending money that would be used for defensive weapons only.
Representative Massie, a fiscal hawk who opposes all foreign aid, said he was also responding to the heavy toll on civilians of Israel’s attacks in Gaza. “There have been 70,000 casualties in Gaza and I don’t think we should be part of that,” he said during House debate.
Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people during a cross-border attack into Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli tallies. The Gaza health ministry said Israel’s subsequent offensive on the Strip killed more than 73,000 Palestinians.
Much of the enclave lies in ruin. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million people, most of whom have been displaced several times, now live on a tiny strip of land along the coast, mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
