U.S. Democrats split over Israel aid
Traditional bipartisan support in the United States for Israel is weakening within the Democratic Party as lawmakers and voters call for a review of the annual $3.8 billion in military assistance. About half of Democratic members of the House voted this month for an amendment to halt the aid, but the measure failed to pass.
A June Quinnipiac University poll showed 48 % of American voters believe Washington supports Israel too much, with 66 % of Democrats sharing that view. The debate is influencing Democratic primary races in Michigan, New York, Florida and Colorado, where candidates critical of Israeli policies have won some victories. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and his aides warned the amendment was overly broad. The split is driven by the Gaza war, tensions with Iran and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political alignment with Republicans.
Entities: Benjamin Netanyahu · Hakeem Jeffries · Israel · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and his staff opposed the amendment as too broad.
- [● 3 SOURCES] About half of Democratic Representatives voted for an amendment to cut US military aid to Israel, which did not pass.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A Quinnipiac University poll in June found 48 % of American voters think Washington supports Israel too much, and 66 % of Democrats share that view.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Traditional bipartisan US support for Israel is weakening within the Democratic Party.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The United States provides Israel about $3.8 billion in military aid each year.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The split among Democrats is driven by the Gaza war, conflict with Iran, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political closeness to Republicans.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The debate over Israel aid is influencing Democratic primary elections in Michigan, New York, Florida and Colorado.