BOSTON — Members of the state’s all-democratic congressional delegation are defending their support for a lone GOP lawmaker’s proposal to block billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to Israel.
On Wednesday, more than 100 House Democrats voted in support of an amendment to block $3.3 billion in military aid that had been proposed by Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican and critic of President Donald Trump and his military action in the Middle East.
The measure ultimately failed on a 104-314 vote with Republicans — with the notable exception of Massie — voting to reject the proposal.
But the vote highlighted sharp divides between Democrats on whether to cut off aid to Israel, becoming the latest flashpoint in the party’s rift over support for the longtime U.S. ally. It has also rekindled claims by Republicans of antisemitism among progressive Democrats in Congress.
Rep. Lori Trahan was among those who voted to support Massie’s amendment to choke off U.S. military support for Israel.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu has used American military assistance funding to carry out atrocities in Gaza, embolden violent settlers in the West Bank, and continue indiscriminate bombing in Lebanon,” the Westford Democrat said. “He has shown us again and again that he does not respond to reason.”
Trahan said she “has always affirmed Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and its right to defend itself from attack” and that criticism of Netanyahu’s government “is not criticism of the Jewish people.”
She noted support for Massie’s amendment is likely to be “twisted” by critics.
“Criticism of Netanyahu’s government is not criticism of the Jewish people,” Trahan said. “I have condemned antisemitism and religious hatred at every turn, and I always will. Anyone who uses this debate as cover for hate will find no ally in me. The stakes here are bigger than one vote.”
Rep. Seth Moulton also backed Massie’s amendment, saying in a statement that Netanyahu “pushed” Trump into war with Iran and is “flagrantly violating international law and fundamental human rights” by supporting settler violence and expanding territory in the West Bank.
“We simply cannot continue to condone Netanyahu’s actions that are against our moral conscience and our own national security interests by perpetuating the status quo,” Moulton, a Salem Democrat, said in a prepared statement.
The Democrat’s stances on Israel have been a key issue in the party’s primaries ahead of the midterm elections. In recent weeks, several incumbent Democrats who have been supportive of Israel lost their primaries to progressives who have been highly critical of the Israeli government.
In a letter to fellow lawmakers, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat said he opposed Massie’s measure, calling it “overly broad” and said it limits the use of federal funds for humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building and U.S. Embassy operations.
He didn’t ask fellow Democrats to oppose it, but said they should “vote on their conscience.”
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, a Revere Democrat, was among those who broke ranks to vote to strip aid from Israel, arguing that lawmakers “should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not comply with U.S. law, interests, and values.
“This is not an attempt to have a serious and necessary debate about offensive military aid to Israel,” she said in a statement defending her vote. “It’s more stunts from Congressional Republicans who would rather score cheap political points than lead.”
Christian M. Wade covers Massachusetts state government and politics for CNHI News and North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.