Jeremy Scahill presses Ro Khanna and AOC over Gaza and Israel aid
Democrats are being pushed toward harder anti-Israel positions, bad news for Israel's support in Washington as more lawmakers question military aid.
- A heated on-air exchange challenged Ro Khanna over why he backs Israel's right to defend itself while calling the war a genocide, exposing splits among Democrats.
- AOC said she would vote against any weapons transfer to Israel and would now take a Palestinian-led trip to the West Bank, a stance she had held back on before.
- Both want sanctions after Israeli settlers and soldiers held up Khanna's delegation at gunpoint in the West Bank.
- A House amendment from Thomas Massie to block all aid to Israel gets a floor vote today; leaders oppose it but are letting Democrats vote their conscience.
- The Senate blocked a provision that would have tied the US and Israeli militaries together, tied to worries about restarting an illegal war with Iran.
Outlook: The Massie vote will show how far Democrats have shifted, and more lawmakers visiting the West Bank is likely to push the party further against Israel.