Более половины демократов в Палате представителей США проголосовали за снятие 3,3 млрд долларов помощи Израилю

Sign up for the Today newsletter Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning. By The Associated Press and Boston.com Staff More than half the House Democrats, including the entire Massachusetts delegation, voted Wednesday to strip $3.3 billion in U.S. aid from Israel, the most substantial signal yet that once rock-solid bipartisan support for the country is disintegrating in the aftermath of its war in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians. The vote tally, 104-314, was not enough to attach the amendment to a broader national security spending bill, but stands as a stark accounting of the shifting attitudes that are dividing the Democratic Party and the nation over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war strategy, now approaching its third year. Here’s what the members of Congress from Massachusetts said about their votes: “This week, House Republicans are putting forward a foreign aid budget bill that decimates American diplomacy, cuts desperately needed humanitarian aid, and further undermines our national security and right to vote. “Republicans have also included an overly broad amendment by Rep. Massie that blocks all foreign aid to Israel, including humanitarian funding for Palestinian refugees and civilians in Gaza. This is not an attempt to have a serious and necessary debate about offensive military aid to Israel. It’s more stunts from Congressional Republicans who would rather score cheap political points than lead. “However, it is clear that the status quo is not tenable. We should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not comply with U.S. law, interests, and values. The Netanyahu government has failed to meet that standard. I will be voting yes, not because I agree with the entirety of the amendment, or the GOP’s cynical motivations for its consideration, but because I believe we must change course. While Democratic Members will make different decisions on this amendment in good faith, we are absolutely united in our shared goal of permanent peace. “Israel has the right to exist as a sovereign, secure, and democratic Jewish state. They have the right to defend their people and their territory. The United States should continue to have a strong strategic alliance with Israel and support its defense against governments and proxy groups that seek its destruction. We must continue to support Israel’s defensive systems like the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow and Thaad — which are not impacted by this amendment. And we must fight against the scourge of antisemitism whenever and wherever it appears. “There must be a new and sustainable path for true security in the Middle East. It cannot be achieved without surging aid to Gaza, halting construction of settlements in the West Bank, ending settler violence, and upholding the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. We cannot give up on peace and our work to build a better future for all children.” The full joint statement, which was also signed by Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Stephen Lynch: “As Members of Congress, it is our duty to ensure that our constituents’ hard-earned money is used in a way that advances America’s interests and values. For this reason, we do not support providing an additional $3.3 billion of American taxpayer dollars to be used for Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon—operations which have killed tens of thousands of civilians, led to the indiscriminate destruction of civilian infrastructure, and caused severe and ongoing humanitarian catastrophes. These are just the latest in a long string of human rights violations inflicted on Palestinian civilians. For nearly six decades, Israeli security forces and military authorities have enforced the occupation of the Palestinian territories, including through restrictions on freedom of movement, arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings. It is clear that existing human rights conditions on the use of American security assistance have not been meaningfully enforced. Enough is enough. “Palestinians and Israelis alike deserve peace, freedom, security, stability, and self-determination. Those aims will only be achieved when their inherent dignity and inalienable rights are at the center of U.S. policy in the region. Diplomacy is the answer, and as long as America provides constant funding for more war, peace will always remain out of reach. “Our vote should not be interpreted as opposition to initiatives such as the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act programs or others that foster people-to-people engagement, strengthen civil society, and advance the long-term prospects for a just and lasting peace. We remain committed to supporting these and similar programs while ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars advance peace, security, and American interests and values.” “The United States remains committed to our strong, strategic alliance with Israel and will continue to defend its sovereignty and right to exist as a secure Jewish state. Providing support for Israel’s defense systems, such as the Iron Dome, remains an important priority to protect both American and Israeli interests against those who seek Israel’s destruction. This amendment does not change that commitment or our resolve to eradicate Hamas’s reign of terror. “We also have a responsibility to ensure that governments receiving our aid meet the standard our values and laws require. What we are seeing in the Middle East is not sustainable and demands a new path grounded in peace, security, and the right to self-determination for all. That means delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid to the innocent children and families caught in the violence, pursuing a two-state solution, and confronting both terrorism and the cancer of antisemitism. Only then can we build a safer, more secure, and brighter future for everyone.” Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning. Be civil. Be kind. Read our full community guidelines.Stay up to date with everything Boston. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.