• Over 100 Democrats back move to end military aid; amendment rejected in decisive 314-104 vote
• State Dept clears $1.96bn weapons deal for Riyadh
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has defeated an amendment to cut off aid to Israel, despite nearly half of all Democrats supporting it, reflecting a growing rupture between US progressives and Israel over its attacks in Gaza.
The House voted 314-104 to defeat the measure, offered as an amendment to a State Department spending bill by Representative Thomas Massie.
However, 103 Democrats and one Republican backed it, a sharp departure from years in which bills supporting Israel passed almost unanimously.
Left-wing Democrats are pushing to end US aid to Israel as they campaign in midterm election primaries, while moderate Democrats promote sending money used for defensive weapons only.
Massie is a fiscal hawk who opposes all foreign aid, but he said he was also responding to the heavy toll on civilians of Israel’s attacks in Gaza.
“There have been 70,000 casualties in Gaza and I don’t think we should be part of that,” Mr Massie said during House debate.
The amendment would have barred any funding in the appropriations bill from being used for Israel, and blocked $3.3bn in annual security assistance Washington sends Israel.
The Gaza Health Ministry says Israel has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2 million people have been repeatedly displaced, now living on a tiny coastal strip mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings.
Wednesday’s vote would have been largely symbolic even if the House had backed the amendment. To become law, it would have had to pass the Senate and override an almost certain veto by President Donald Trump, who has made support for Israel a central piece of his foreign policy.
Military aid to Israel, and US political campaign contributions from Israel’s backers to candidates, have been a flashpoint for Democrats this year.
Criticism of Israel by US political leaders marks a dramatic shift. Mr Massie’s amendment sought to cut off annual funding included in a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding with Israel, effective until 2028. In September 2016, the House overwhelmingly voted 405-4 to support that MOU.
Candidates have scored upset wins by running on progressive issues, including opposition to Israel’s attacks in Gaza and questioning the country’s right to exist.
The issue has divided party leaders. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Tuesday he would oppose Massie’s amendment, calling it “too broad”. But Wednesday, the No. 2 House Democrat, Representative Katherine Clark said she would support it.
“We should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not comply with US law, interests, and values,” Clark said in a statement.
Last month, influential Representative Adriano Espaillat lost in a New York Democratic primary to Democratic Socialists of America member Darializa Avila Chevalier. She had the backing of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who also identifies as a democratic socialist.
Israel’s standing with Democrats will be tested again on Aug 4, when Michigan voters nominate candidates running for US Senate, the US House and governor as the state debates US relations with Israel.
Weapons for Saudi Arabia
Separately, the US State Department said on Wednesday it approved an estimated $1.96 billion weapons sale to bolster Saudi Arabia’s air defenses, as war ramps up in the Middle East.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-Nato Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the State Department said in a release.
Among the weapons the Gulf kingdom seeks are up to 20,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems and its warheads, which the US Navy’s website describes as “an inexpensive way to destroy targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat”.
The principal contractor is BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire, the department said.
“The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to deter current and future threats by strengthening its homeland defense, and improving interoperability with US forces, and other regional and Nato forces,” the release said.
Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2026