Eight congresswomen, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, compelled fellow Democrats to slash $1 billion in aid aimed at Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ Defense System Tuesday, prompting outrage from fellow members and many constituents.
“Squad Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida Tlaib, Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, along with fellow progressives Betty McCollum and Pramila Jayapal, warned House leadership that they would not have their votes if the bill proceeded with the extra $1 billion, according to Congressional aides. This was evidently enough to convince Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer to advance the continuing resolution without the aid for Israel,” reports the Times of Israel.
“The overwhelming majority of Democrats strongly support U.S. aid to Israel, including funding for Iron Dome, while also supporting Palestinian human rights,” Jewish Democratic Council For America CEO Halie Soifer told The Times of Israel.
“Listening to NPR talking about how the Democratic Party is ‘shifting’ on Israel. Such a tired, lazy take. Democrats believe in a two state future. Always have. If we’re more critical of Israel, it’s [because] their politics have moved, not ours,” tweeted Senator Chris Murphy.
Republican New York Congressman Lee Zeldin voiced his opposition, tweeting: "The Iron Dome exists to defend civilians inside our nation’s great ally, Israel, against offensive air strikes. It’s very telling that the 'squad' and their allies despise it so much."
