House Republican leaders, baulking at the price tag of President Joe Biden’s request and divided over Ukraine, brought a bill solely for Israel to a vote on Thursday.

According to AFP, it passed with almost all Republicans in support, joined by a handful of Democrats.

The White House is unsurprisingly opposed to the plan, which a nonpartisan budget analysis said would actually increase the US debt.

When asked about the quarrel on Capitol Hill, White House national security spokesman John Kirby called on Congress to move more quickly.

“Israel doesn’t need a ceasefire,” he said, in reference to the wave of calls internationally and from some Democrats for a ceasefire to protect civilians in Gaza. Israel “needs allies to cease with the politics and deliver support now”.