Israel Will Get Its Aid, but Its Standing in Washington Has Never Been Shakier
Ben Samuels Haaretz
An Israeli tank in Gaza. (photo: Larry Towell/Magnum)
Voting against providing Israel with emergency military aid deep into its most existential crisis in its history sends an undeniable message about Israel's standing among much of the Democratic Party. And Republicans shouldn't claim the vote proves that they are the undisputable "pro-Israel" party
In reality, however, the picture may not be so simple — and portends a continuation of the ongoing historic trend of Israel's evolving position within both parties.
Until this past weekend, the heated September 2021 debate in the U.S. Congress over whether to provide Israel with $1 billion in emergency Iron Dome funding was the most significant official litmus test for Israel's standing in Washington.
Back then, days of fighting ended with the vast majority of the 420 House lawmakers voting to pass the bill. Only nine lawmakers, eight of them Democrat, opted not to join. Two-and-a-half years have passed, but the developments betray the relatively short timeframe.
Since that moment, among other things, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has left and returned to power, buoyed by Israel's extreme right, leaving Israeli democracy on the chopping block and alienating many of Israel's key allies.
After the October 7 Hamas attack marked the deadliest day in the country's history, Israel's standing briefly enjoyed a return to days past, where it was prioritized as an apolitical ally rather than a cudgel.
Over the past six months, however, Israel's conduct in Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian crisis rapidly eroded its standing in the Democratic Party, peaking with the deadly World Central Kitchen strike that left seven aid workers dead.
Unprecedented numbers of Democratic lawmakers, including senior ones who have been among Israel's most crucial allies in the history of the countries' relationship, have called for a fundamental rethink of unconditional U.S. support.
Much of this momentum, however, was broken by another unprecedented event – Iran's direct attack on Israel, which forced House Speaker Mike Johnson's hand to put the $95 billion foreign aid package on the floor (which included a $26 billion package for Israel) despite significant opposition within his own party.
The vote passed amid significant whipping efforts from both parties' leadership, the entirety of the U.S. Jewish establishment and pro-Israel lobbies that disagree on virtually everything, though the numbers show how much things have changed since that Iron Dome vote.
Thirty-seven Democrats — including senior lawmakers like Maxine Waters, Lloyd Doggett, Bennie Thompson, Jim McGovern and Bonnie Watson Coleman — voted against the bill. Reps. Jamie Raskin and Becca Balint were the two Jewish Democrats to vote against it.
Nineteen of the no-votes made clear in a joint statement following the vote that "our votes against H.R. 8034 are votes against supplying more offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere. We believe strongly in Israel's right to self-defense and have joined colleagues previously in affirming our shared commitment."
Regardless of this qualification, voting against providing Israel with emergency military assistance deep into its most existential crisis in its history sends an undeniable message about Israel's standing among much of the Democratic Party.
Republicans, however, shouldn't claim the vote proves that they are the undisputable "pro-Israel" party. Twenty-one Republicans voted against the bill, an unimaginable number in years past. It is clear that the GOP's isolationist wing is gaining strength rather than weakening while generational shifts within the Democratic Party continue unabated.
The Senate will vote — and very likely approve — the Israel aid, at which point Biden will immediately sign it into law. Israel will get its money and weapons, but should not settle for the peace of mind that its standing in Washington is sure-footed.
