Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib
Posted on 05/19/2021 1:46:48 PM PDT by MarvinStinson
Dems divided as anti-Israel flank grows more vocal
Democratic leaders convinced their colleagues on Tuesday to drop an effort championed by the party’s left flank that would have delayed U.S. military assistance to Israel as the country battles Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D., Md.), the House’s second-highest-ranking Democrat, told reporters that after pressure from leadership, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), abandoned efforts to delay over $735 million in arms sales to Israel. The Jewish state has used such weaponry during the past two weeks to battle Hamas terrorists as they fire thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians. Hoyer is one of the party’s most vocal pro-Israel voices.
Meeks’s bid was widely seen as part of a larger effort by Democratic leaders to placate far-left House members who continue to bash Israel and accuse the country of terrorism for conducting defensive operations. Chief among these anti-Israel voices are Reps. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), Cori Bush (D., Mo.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.), and Mark Pocan (D., Wis.). These lawmakers have called for aid to Israel be cut off and sanctions on the Jewish state for striking Palestinian terrorist groups. Omar and Tlaib, who have expressed increasing frustration with their party’s pro-Israel stalwarts, took to social media this week and last to blast the Biden administration and fellow Democrats for issuing statements in defense of Israel.
Meeks’s about-face is another sign of the Democratic Party’s growing divide on Israel, as anti-Israel advocates like Omar, an HFAC member, push for the historically bipartisan, pro-Israel Congress to adopt a hardline stance against the Jewish state, including withholding critical security aid. Republican congressional insiders worry that HFAC Democrats, as well as the party at large, are ditching their longstanding support for the U.S.-Israel relationship as pressure from anti-Israel voices mounts.
"For the chairman to even pay lip service to the anti-Israel members of his caucus is destructive to what we need from this committee right now, and threatens HFAC's bipartisan support of Israel," said one GOP congressional aide.
Republican HFAC members lined up behind Israel when asked for comment on the committee’s consideration of any effort that would delay or withhold military aid.
"It’s vital we ensure our most important ally in the Middle East has the tools they need to defend themselves today and in the future," Rep. Michael McCaul (R., Texas), the committee’s lead Republican, told the Washington Free Beacon. "That is why I and others approved it, and why I’m encouraging the administration to proceed with the sale as planned."
Rep. Scott Perry (R., Pa.), another HFAC member, expressed concerns that "Democrats, once again, are planning to abandon Israel—this time while she’s being attacked."
"America must do more, not less, for our ally, Israel," he said, "and any delays placating ‘The Squad’ just aid and embolden Hamas terrorists."
Reps. Greg Steube (R., Fla.) and Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.) expressed similar sentiments to the Free Beacon calling for both parties in the committee to support robust funding for Israel.
Democratic leaders are having a more difficult time voicing public support for Israel.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.), a pro-Israel stalwart, has been mostly silent since bombs began falling across Israel last week. The senator made his first public statement about the conflict on Monday, telling reporters, "I agree with the statement put out by Senators Murphy and Young last night in its entirety. I want to see a cease-fire reached quickly. And I mourn the loss of life." That statement supported Israel’s right to self-defense and urged all parties to end the violence.
Schumer’s office declined to comment on the situation further when reached by the Free Beacon. The senator’s silence departs from his past support for Israel. Schumer opposed the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, putting him at odds with the Obama administration, citing his concerns about the dangers the deal would pose to Israel’s security.
Some in the pro-Israel community noticed Schumer’s silence.
"One knows who their true friends are on the hard days, not the easy ones," one official at a pro-Israel organization told the Free Beacon, speaking only on background so as not to damage relations with the senator’s office. "Sen. Schumer has often spoken of his love and admiration for the Jewish state. Now is the time for him to show it."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) also broke her silence about the conflict on Tuesday, indicating that the Democratic leadership has decided to maintain a pro-Israel stance.
"Israel is our friend and ally in the Middle East with whom we have shared values," Pelosi said in a statement. "It is in the U.S. national security interest to support security in Israel. Hamas exploited a volatile situation to initiate hostilities against Israel."
NATIONAL SECURITY Israel Fends Off Attacks on Its Northern Border Pompeo: 'The risk that Hezbollah decides to join this fight is real'
Israeli soldiers operate an artillery unit as it fires near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip on May 18, 2021 in Sderot, Israel. / Getty ImagesJack Beyrer • May 18, 2021 6:15 pm Israel is fending off attacks on its northern border while it confronts an escalating conflict with Hamas.
Israel Defense Forces shot down a drone near the country's northern border on Tuesday. Although the drone approached Israel from Jordanian airspace, Israeli military officials say its origin is unclear.
The day before, a Palestinian militia fired at least six rockets at Israel from Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon. Three other rockets were launched at Israel from Syria on Friday after Hezbollah claimed Israeli forces killed one of its militants during a border protest.
The strikes on the country's northern border come as Hamas ramps up its rocket attacks on cities in central and southern Israel. On Tuesday, former secretary of state Mike Pompeo said there is a real risk for a two-front war and that Iran-backed Hezbollah could join Hamas in its violent campaign against the Jewish state.
"The risk that Hezbollah decides to join this fight is real," Pompeo said. "We know that Hezbollah has been able to build out their capabilities, including precision-guided munitions in the north. The threat is real in ways that these rockets from Hamas are not."
While the Biden administration calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, Hamas continues to fire thousands of rockets toward Israeli cities. The terror group killed two Thai workers in southern Israel on Tuesday and wounded seven others. Israeli authorities on Sunday also apprehended two Jordanian men inside Israel who snuck past the border armed with knives.
Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Rashida Tlaib
these people are also viciously anti-American and their political positions are almost completely against our constitutionally-recognized individual liberties. they will destroy USA as soon as they possibly can, in any ways they can figure out how
as for Israel, she is strong she just needs better leadership with much more resolve to eliminate, rather than just keep “returning some blows” with, the enemies
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee
After pressure from leadership, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D., N.Y.), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee , abandoned efforts to delay over $735 million in arms sales to Israel.
PELOSI is their enabler.
Pocan, the Pussy from Wisconsin, would be right at home with the girls, but I think even the squad has standards.
yes, Pelousy also faked the “certification of eligiblity” papers for Obama!
and she also shoved Zero=care through against our wishes, against the constitution (Roberts knows better) and without even letting our elected representatives read the damned 2000-plus page bill
and then she authorized not one but TWO obviously fake impeachments of PDJT
she has done so much damage to this country it boggles the mind
and meanwhile, from her San Fransicko mansion on its semi-private lane, she does not see the sheit all over the rest of the SHitty.... and she reportedly still blocks her Mexican field laborers (winery) to have the protection of a union
Cori Bush (D., Mo.)
Mark Pocan's husband, Philip Frank, is the first same-sex spouse with a congressional spousal ID card.
You answered your own question about AOC. Blithering stupidity with an arrogant loud mouth.
Ping.
bmp
🤢
They look like father and son.
They are husband and wife.
Cori Bush (D. MO) is the latest member of the squad. She ousted a long-time dem whose family had held the seat for decades. The only connection that I can imagine that her constituents share with the Palis is a systemic hatred for anything that smacks of Western Civilization. Oh, and of course, the perpetual victimhood both groups like to claim.
For those who don’t know or remember, she was part of the mob that broke into the private gated community on their way to protest outside of the mayor’s house over, I believe, a statue of either Columbus or St. Louis IX. The only people charged in the breaking into private property were of course the white couple who dared to defend their property. They are facing felony charges.
3 of the very worst TRAITORS the USA has EVER seen.
And MY brother wonder why I won’t move back to Wisconsin.........
At least we know which dems are expecting kickbacks from the sale.
3 of the very worst TRAITORS the USA has EVER seen.
And PELOSI has enabled them and put them in the places they can do the most damage.
You write for the Associated Press?
Or for al Jazeera?
They all knew what would happen when Biden flooded the palaterrorists with us tax money. They got the war they wanted.
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