House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has rejected a proposal to halt U.S. military assistance to Israel, reaffirming his support for maintaining America’s long-standing security partnership with the country.
The proposal was introduced by Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who called for removing military funding for Israel from the U.S. federal budget.
They argued that the ongoing war in Gaza warrants a reassessment of how the United States allocates its resources in support of Israel’s military operations.
Jeffries, however, said ending the aid would undermine both U.S. and Israeli security interests.
“America’s commitment to Israel’s right to exist must remain unwavering,” Jeffries said.
He also stressed that Israel remains one of the United States’ most important allies in the Middle East, adding that the two countries’ security cooperation plays a key role in countering groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which the U.S. designates as terrorist organizations.
The debate has once again exposed divisions within the Democratic Party.
While senior Democratic leaders, including Jeffries, continue to support military assistance to Israel, a number of progressive lawmakers argue that such aid should be tied to stricter conditions regarding human rights and the use of American-supplied weapons.
The discussion has also renewed attention on the role of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a powerful pro-Israel lobbying organization.
Supporters argue that AIPAC helps safeguard U.S. strategic interests and Israel’s security, while critics contend that it exerts significant influence over lawmakers, contributing to continued congressional support for Israel.
Jeffries maintained that his position is based on U.S. national security interests and the decades-long strategic partnership between the United States and Israel.
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