Progressive Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush, recently made headlines as they offered an amendment to a foreign aid bill aimed at putting pressure on Israel regarding their actions in Gaza. The amendment, which called for aid to be withheld from Israel until Hamas released hostages and a cease-fire was established, was ultimately rejected by the House Rules Committee.
Despite the efforts of Tlaib and Bush, the majority of House lawmakers showed strong bipartisan support for a $26 billion foreign aid bill that includes funding for Israel and humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip. The failed amendment also called for lasting peace between Israel and Hamas, the release of hostages, and efforts towards diplomacy for the self-determination of both Palestinians and Israelis.
Progressive Democrats have been vocal in their criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel, particularly in light of the recent violence in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis. Some lawmakers have even gone so far as to accuse the Israel Defense Forces of committing genocide in their conflict with Hamas fighters, a claim that Israeli and U.S. leaders have vehemently denied.
Rep. Cori Bush condemned the passing of the foreign aid bill, referring to it as a “death warrant” for Palestinians and calling for an immediate cease-fire to prevent further loss of life and destruction in the region. The debate over U.S. aid to Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza is likely to continue as tensions remain high in the Middle East.
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