Amidst a heated political climate, House Republicans are set to vote on a contentious resolution aimed at President Joe Biden’s Israel policy. House Democrats expressed discontent as Republicans move forward with a resolution condemning President Biden’s stance on Israel.
Axios reported that the crux of the matter stems from a resolution brought forth by Representative Maria Salazar (R-Fla.), which criticizes the President for allegedly exerting unilateral pressure on Israel. This non-binding, three-page document specifically addresses U.S. actions concerning the ongoing tensions in Gaza.
Recent interactions between the U.S. and Israel have heightened these tensions, particularly following President Biden's phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the call, Biden advocated for an "immediate ceasefire" and alterations to Israel’s approach in Gaza.
This call was shortly followed by a U.S. decision not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution that echoed Biden’s call for a ceasefire, further inflaming political debates within the U.S. Both the phone call and the resolution were clear betrayals of Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East.
The resolution saw advancement in the House last Friday, setting the stage for a final vote next week. Predictions point towards substantial Republican support, a stance that has consistently aimed to highlight rifts within the Democratic Party.
Notably, some Democrats, such as Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Don Davis (D-N.C.), have expressed their support for the resolution, indicating a divide among Democrats on this issue.
Over recent months, Republicans have leveraged the conflict between Israel and Hamas, initiating several votes related to Israel designed to stir division among Democrats.
Historically, these initiatives have seen varying levels of Democratic support. For instance, in February, 46 Democrats broke ranks to support a standalone aid package for Israel, diverging from their leadership’s stance that also sought to include aid for Ukraine and Palestinians.
Similarly, approximately a dozen Democrats defected on other measures, including a controversial December vote equating antisemitism with anti-Zionism, demonstrating the ongoing internal conflict within the party regarding Israel.
Further deepening the rift, 22 Democrats sided with Republicans last November to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) for her support of a pro-Palestinian slogan, illustrating the contentious and polarizing nature of the debate on Israel within the party.
As the vote approaches, many Democrats remain undecided, with some voicing frustration over the perceived partisan nature of the resolution. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) have been vocal in their defense of President Biden’s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Representative Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) critiqued the resolution as distracting from serious efforts to address the complex and distressing situation, dismissing it as "nonsense." Conversely, Rep. Don Davis (D-N.C.) reiterated his strong support for Israel, highlighting the nuanced positions within the party.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) condemned the resolution as a "partisan political resolution" that does not aid Israel. This sentiment was echoed by several of his Democratic colleagues who view the Republican moves as more focused on political gains than genuine support for Israel.
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) acknowledged the possibility of some Democratic defections but criticized the overall merit of the measure. Meanwhile, Rep. Lois Frankel praised President Biden as "one of the best presidents for Israel," staunchly opposing the bashing of his administration.
In summary, the upcoming vote on the resolution criticizing President Biden’s Israel policy highlights deep-seated tensions within the Democratic Party and continues to stir partisan debate. As the situation in Gaza remains volatile, the U.S. political landscape reflects the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and internal party disagreements.
