Nearly half of House Democrats vote to cut off aid to Israel as public opinion shifts

More than 100 Democrats voted to end U.S. assistance. The vote sparked a rare split between the chamber’s top two Democrats: Hakeem Jeffries and Katherine Clark.

WASHINGTON — House Democrats were deeply divided Wednesday over a vote to end U.S. aid for Israel, an intraparty fight that split the party’s top two leaders.

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A rare public disagreement at the party’s highest levels highlighted growing turmoil among Democratic lawmakers and the party base about how to handle U.S. relations with Israel. The debate also pits a rising progressive wing calling for cutting off assistance to Israel, at least until the Israeli government changes its approach to Gaza, against center-left Democrats who are reluctant to upend the U.S.’ decadeslong alliance with Israel.

On Wednesday afternoon, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., voted against an amendment by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., that would cut off aid to Israel, calling the measure “overly broad.”