The House of Representatives Thursday voted 420-9 to provide $1 billion in aid for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system after the money was abruptly cut from a separate stopgap spending bill over opposition from a handful of progressives.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) who led opposition to the measure, voted “present” while 8 of her Democratic progressive allies voted no.
“The Iron Dome is a critical tool in protecting the Israeli civilian population — Jews and Arabs alike — from Hamas attacks,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) referring to the rulers of the Gaza Strip. “All Israelis and Palestinians deserve peace, security and the right to self-determination.”
The measure won overwhelming support from both parties including mainstream Democrats and liberals. One conservative critic of foreign aid also opposed it.
Progressives angrily denounced the bill as an unneeded reward to Israel, which they blame for the recent conflict in Gaza and killing peace talks with the Palestinians.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian American in Congress, said the U.S. should focus on preventing Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
“We cannot be talking only about Israelis’ need for safety,” said Tlaib, who branded Israel “an apartheid regime.” “We should also be talking about Palestinian need for security from Israeli attacks.”
The bill now goes on to the Senate for likely approval.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), the chair of the powerful Appropriations Committee, introduced the measure after progressives balked at including it in a must-pass emergency spending package that will keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30.
“Replenishing interceptors used to protect Israel from attacks is our legal and moral responsibility,” DeLauro said in a statement.
The money will help replace Israel’s missile interceptors after the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas earlier this year.
Despite the lopsided vote, the sharp dispute among Democrats indicates that military aid for Israel is becoming something of a hot potato on the left, especially with Israel steadfastly opposed to an independent Palestinian state.
Moderate Democrats, on the other hand, want to show that they strongly back Israel, especially since Republicans have increasingly sought to showcase their backing of the Jewish state.
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