House Democrats Withdraw Money For Israel’s Iron Dome System In Fundraising Bill

House Democrats on Tuesday withdrew $ 1 billion in funding for Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system from their interim funding bill, after Progressives threatened to block the measure on military support for Israel.

While Democratic leaders have pledged to approve funding by the end of the year in another bill to pass, the heist was the latest episode in an ongoing intra-party debate over support. to Israel.

Republicans quickly took social media to accuse the Democrats of undermining Israel’s security. They also scheduled a procedural vote to highlight divisions among Democrats – which was rejected – even as they planned to vote against the original measure when it included funding for Iron Dome.

Moderate Democrats also criticized their colleagues for opposing funds for the defensive missile system, which President Joe Biden promised to replenish after the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in May.

While lawmakers from both parties have supported Israel’s right to unconditionally defend itself for decades, a growing group of Democratic lawmakers have called on party leaders to reconsider its relations with Israel and have accused its army of human rights violations and lambasted the treatment of Palestinians.

This tension has been exacerbated in recent years by efforts by conservative Israeli leaders – notably former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – to align closely with Republicans and former President Donald Trump, following tensions with the Obama administration in the past. subject of US nuclear negotiations with Iran. .

Yet Democratic Party leaders and Biden were quick to show their support for Israel. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Tuesday about the Iron Dome funding debate and reiterated Democrats’ commitment to adopt the measure.

Hoyer said the funding would be available by the end of the week.