U.S. House passes pro-Israel resolution amid rising criticism of Jewish state by Democrats
Marking the Jewish state’s 75th anniversary, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a pro-Israel resolution on Tuesday that focused on the unique American-Israeli alliance and the U.S.-brokered Arab-Israeli Abraham Accords 2020.
The resolution, H.Res.311 passed, with a 401-19 vote, indicating continued robust support for Israel. The United States was the first country in the world to recognize the nascent Jewish state’s existence in May 1948.
U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, who initiated the pro-Israel resolution, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the vote.
“The House just overwhelmingly passed my resolution celebrating 75 years of independence for Israel. Seventy-five years of cultural exchange, 75 years of economic growth with a startup nation, 75 years of security cooperation, 75 years of together pursuing peace Congratulations on 75 years!” stated Schneider.
However, 18 progressive Democrats opposed the pro-Israel measure, signaling rising hostilities towards Israel among certain segments in the Democrat party. Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib all voted against the Jewish state.
Logan Bayroff, spokesperson for J Street, a leftist lobby group that is highly-critical of Israel, blasted the resolution for omitting the vision of a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East.
“We regret that the House resolution introduced to mark Israel’s landmark 75th anniversary omits key commitments and aspirations that have been central to the US-Israel relationship for decades,” said Bayroff.
“This anniversary should be a time – as has been the case with prior resolutions marking milestone anniversaries for Israel – when long-standing bipartisan consensus positions on Israel are reinforced, rather than excised to accommodate the Republican party’s growing rejection of them,” Bayroff added.
On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed a delegation of U.S. Congressional Democrats to Israel, headed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
