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Showing posts with label Israeli genocide war crimes crimes against humanity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Israeli genocide war crimes crimes against humanity. Show all posts
Things Jesus did not say: You shall know the sensational half-truth and it will entrench your existing beliefs. Or shock you. Or tell you to buy stuff.
Instead, Jesus famously promises his disciples: “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32). As an editor and a Christian, I believe this wholeheartedly; truth—of both the gospel variety and what you find in fact-based journalism—has the power to change us. But it sure doesn’t feel freeing to read the news these days.
Call it media, the news, or (my least favorite) “content,” our information systems often do a better job provoking outrage than helping us stay informed about the world around us. This is by design, points out journalism professor Christina Littlefield, and it’s not just a problem on the political Right. “Outrage sells. Outrage gets remembered. Outrage can shape us,” she writes. And over time, that outrage becomes “what we give our time and attention to.”
We can change this, though, and Littlefield breaks it down into simple steps. She explains how “Christians of all political leanings” can assess our own media diet and separate credible information from mis- or disinformation. And she offers tips for having real conversations with people whose “factual foundation” is quite different from our own.
And here I’ll break the fourth wall for a moment: Littlefield invites readers to be aware of a publication’s motivation—even a publication like Sojourners. As editor in chief, I can tell you that we put Littlefield’s article on the cover because we hope to persuade Christians who care about social justice to heed her advice, especially as we head into midterm season. But if you want to know more about what we publish and why, check out our editorial policies, where we try to be transparent about the values that shape our coverage. Or write us your questions—we love hearing from you!
Here’s what else we think you need to know this week:
Vote… or else? Speaking of transparency: We’re all for encouraging eligible voters to cast their ballot in the upcoming midterms. But President Donald Trump stirring up crowds in Dallas with a warning that “You go to hell!” if you don’t vote isn’t what we had in mind.
328 feet of grief. A coalition of nearly 50 congregations—including churches, mosques, Buddhist centers, interfaith and secular groups—have handwritten the names of 20,000 children killed in Gaza between October 2023 and August 2025 on a long linen shroud.
Hollywood loves nuns.“For centuries, convents have offered women a way to break from cultural norms,” writes Jenna Barnett. And for the last few decades, films use religious women as a way to mix the “radical and the respectable.”
The return of the pro-labor gospel. Candidates like James Talarico and Rob Sand are arguing that God is on the side of the workers. Does that message still resonate with voters? Heath Carter investigates.
The myth of “Western Civilization.”Politicians like J.D. Vance say their politics are needed to save “the West.” But what if “the West” is all in their minds? Emma Cieslick and Yanan Melo unpack the fiction of Western civilization.
Facing the climate crisis with joy. As millions brace for El Niño, it’s hard not to worry about the planet our children will inherit. But in 2022, Lydia Wylie-Kellermann argued for raising children to face climate catastrophe with joy instead of terror.
We heard from many of you last week after sending you our piece on James Talarico, with thoughtful comments that both appreciated and expanded on our coverage. One comment from reader Ruth McKinnie stood out:
Humans are complex and their beliefs reflect that. We often agree with some beliefs of another, but not necessarily every belief of the other person. I agree with most beliefs of some politicians, but not usually every belief. I vote for the person who most closely represents my values and who will work to make the world better, but probably not perfect. If we all think alike on everything, where is the opportunity to grow? Where is the opportunity for different thoughts to challenge us?
Good point, Ruth, and thanks for writing to us! To all of our readers: We invite you to keep sending us your thoughts by hitting reply to this email — we read them all.
Authoritarianism relies on an exhausted, fearful public. But faith calls us to action. Give to Sojourners’ fall fundraising campaign to fuel investigative reporting and equip local churches with tools to defend democracy, protect vulnerable neighbors, and organize for justice. Make your tax-deductible gift today!
How do stories help us recognize injustice and remain hopeful enough to act? Join Margaret Atwood and Sojourners president Adam Russell Taylor on November 11 at 1 pm ET for a live conversation about faith, power, resistance, and the stories that can move us toward a more just future.
FINALLY, the US Senate is considering legislation that, if passed, could actually force the American government to stop providing funding, weapons and ammunition to illegal Israeli settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as well as the Israeli "Defense" Forces and other Israeli "security" entities until they end their genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, Lebanon and the Golan Heights. Please sign this petition from Demand Progress calling on the senate to pass this resolution, and then e mail your senators telling them to support and vote for this resolution. The resolution follows the call to action...
Sign the petition: Vote NEXT WEEK to hold Israel accountable for ethnic cleansing in the West Bank
TELL THE SENATE: Israeli soldiers and security forces have killed 9 Americans in the West Bank in recent years with impunity. Extremist settlers execute daily attacks on the Palestinian people — and no one is held accountable. The U.S. must end complicity with Israel's violence. Sign the petition: Hold Israel accountable for ethnic cleansing in the West Bank!
Trump is trying to force through a massive bomb shipment to Israel as the Israeli government continues its genocide in Gaza and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. Israeli violence has killed 9 Americans in the West Bank in the last four years, but no one has been held accountable.1
The UN estimates that Israeli settlers, backed by Israel's security forces, led 6 violent assaults on Palestinians or their property every single day this year.2
"What is happening right now is the erasure of humans, trees and stones, and anything that is Palestinian, by settlers under the support of the military," said one Palestinian resident of Kufr Malik.3 24 Senate Democrats are leading an effort to pressure Trump and Israel to end this wanton settler violence against Americans and Palestinians.4
The U.S. government's continuous funding and weapons support allows Israel to continue its horrific violence in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
"Violence is raging in the West Bank, fueled by Israeli settlers & the extreme Netanyahu government. America cannot sit idly by, especially as our own citizens are killed and wrongfully detained with no accountability," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, the lead sponsor of the resolution to force Trump's State Department to document Israel's violence for the world to see.5
Sen. Bernie Sanders said, "Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank experience horrific violence at the hands of Israeli settlers and security forces — and for years, the Israeli government has offered impunity instead of accountability."6Exposing Israel's atrocities and holding settlers accountable is an important step towards real justice and safety for Palestinians.
The Guardian, "Senators demand investigation after ninth American killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers in West Bank," March 5, 2026.
France 24, "Israel blasts 'grotesque absurdity' of Macron's UN remarks on West Bank," September 23, 2026.
Amnesty International, "Erasing Anything Palestinian," June 10, 2026.
Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Press, "Shaheen, Van Hollen, Kaine, Sanders Lead 20+ Senators in Introducing Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence," September 15, 2026.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen on X, "Violence is raging in the West Bank..." September 19, 2026.
Senate Foreign Relations Ranking Member Press, "Shaheen, Van Hollen, Kaine, Sanders Lead 20+ Senators in Introducing Privileged Resolution Seeking Answers on West Bank Violence," September 15, 2026.
Contributions to ActBlue Civics and Demand Progress Action are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Join our online community on Instagram or Twitter.
The Senators’ resolution – introduced Monday night – would require a report on increasing violence in the West Bank, including deaths of American citizens
WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led a group of their Senate colleagues in introducing a 502B privileged resolution requiring the Department of State to report to Congress on increasing violence in the West Bank, including the killings of Americans in the West Bank. Nine Americans have been killed in the West Bank in recent years — and more detained — and none have received accountability or justice from either the Israeli or United States Governments. The Senators’ resolution would require the Department of State to provide information and assessments related to investigations of the killing of United States citizens by violent Israeli settlers or Israeli security forces in the West Bank, as well as an assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank, specifically related to the detention of Palestinian children.
They were joined in introducing the resolution by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
“We have a responsibility to ensure the killing of American citizens is thoroughly investigated anywhere in the world,” said Senator Shaheen. “These killings and extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank undermine the rule of law and threaten a two-state solution. I’m proud to join this resolution to send the message from Congress that the United States will not sign off on unchecked escalation. I encourage the Trump Administration to continue to make clear that the U.S. opposes annexation of the West Bank and extremist settler policies.”
“This Administration has said ensuring the safety and security of American citizens abroad is one of its highest priorities. And yet, as we’ve seen violence rise in the West Bank, American citizens have been killed time and again, and they have received no justice and no accountability. It’s past time we get answers on their deaths – and on the growing violent Israeli settler attacks and the injustices Palestinians in the West Bank face on a daily basis. This resolution will require the State Department to begin to produce these answers, which are owed to the families of those who have lost loved ones, to the American people, and to all of those who want to ensure recipients of U.S. taxpayer dollars are acting in line with our laws and our values,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“The violence committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank is reaching an unprecedented level, and as a result more and more Americans and Palestinians are being killed and injured. These actions—and the Israeli government’s lack of response to this violence—are unacceptable and threaten the long-term safety and security of the entire region,” said Senator Kaine. “Friends need to listen to each other, and my colleagues and I have repeatedly urged Israeli leaders to take firmer action to curtail illegal settlements in the West Bank, prosecute violent settlers, and protect Palestinian residents as well as American citizens living in or visiting the West Bank. I encourage all of my colleagues to support this resolution to require the State Department to conduct a formal assessment and provide a report to Congress on the situation in the West Bank, in particular the safety and security of Americans.”
“Every day, Palestinians in the West Bank experience horrific violence at the hands of Israeli settlers and security forces — and for years, the Israeli government has offered impunity instead of accountability. Enough is enough. The United States cannot keep bankrolling this violence and looking the other way — it’s time to end our complicity, once and for all,” said Senator Sanders.
“In my visits to the West Bank, I’ve heard numerous stories about the organized strategy of harassment and violence settlers are inflicting upon Palestinian villagers and Palestinian Americans. Tactics include cutting off villagers from their wells, their vineyards, and their orchards, burning their vehicles, and assaulting defenseless individuals, all with the implicit support of the Netanyahu government. This is wrong under every moral code,” said Senator Merkley. “This resolution demands answers about these abuses and accountability for those responsible.”
“The Netanyahu government has failed to stop Israeli security forces and settler attacks in the West Bank for years, including attacks that killed American citizens. The Trump administration has even gone so far as to reverse sanctions against individuals connected to this pattern of horrific violence. It's long past time for the U.S. government to stand up for human rights, investigate this violence against Americans and Palestinian civilians, provide full information to Congress, and hold the perpetrators accountable,” said Senator Warren.
“Israeli settlers in the West Bank have perpetrated violent crimes against Palestinians, including American citizens, with impunity. It is completely reasonable for Congress to demand our own government to report who was involved in these attacks. The United States has a moral obligation to seek justice for both our own citizens and Palestinians, including many children, targeted by Israeli security forces or settlers in the West Bank,” said Senator Smith. “A mature democracy can face up to its failures and commit to doing better. I am not at all convinced that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is up to that task, which is why it’s up to the United States.”
“We have a responsibility to protect Americans abroad and seek justice when Americans are killed,” said Senator Luján. “The escalating violence in the West Bank and lack of accountability for the deaths of American citizens are deeply concerning. This resolution will help us get the answers we need, demand accountability, and ensure that we have a better assessment of the human rights situation in the West Bank.”
“Israeli military and police forces are a leading perpetrator of deadly violence against American civilians—including 9 killed since 2022,” said Senator Welch. “Too often there are no serious investigations and there is no accountability after violent attacks. Israel should be held to the same standards as every other nation when it comes to the lives of American citizens—that’s what this resolution demands.”
“Violent, lethal lawlessness on the West Bank is a betrayal of Israel’s moral standing and our shared values, and must be stopped. This resolution is now necessary, after so many have urged action and violence only continues to rise. Failing to enforce clear legal prohibitions and protections has cost American and Palestinian lives – and deeply threatens a peaceful, stable future for all Israelis and Palestinians,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“I have long said that continued settlement activity is one of the obstacles to a long term two-state solution. Recent settler violence only further undermines this goal and demands a serious response from the Netanyahu government—a message this resolution clearly conveys,” said Senator Durbin.
"The United States cannot look the other way when Americans are killed or when Palestinians are subjected to violence and displacement, and neither can Israel. We must send a clear message to the Trump administration and the Israeli government: New Mexicans will not stand by while U.S. citizens are killed by violent Israeli settlers and the Israeli military,” said Senator Heinrich. "We need to end the bloodshed and work toward lasting peace in the region. That starts with holding President Netanyahu accountable for the human rights abuses taking place in the West Bank and making clear that American taxpayers will not provide a blank check for the Israeli government to kill U.S. citizens and kill and displace Palestinians. This resolution will get us closer to real accountability from the Trump Administration and the Israeli Government.”
“Settlers have attacked and killed Palestinians and Americans in the West Bank for years, too often without any real accountability from the Israeli government. We need answers about why this violence has been allowed to continue and what concrete steps are being taken to prevent future tragedies. When settler violence goes unchecked, it puts lives at risk and further undermines the prospects for lasting peace in the region,” said Senator Schatz.
“The escalating settler violence in the West Bank has claimed the lives of Americans and innocent Palestinian civilians. Both the Trump administration and Netanyahu government have failed to ensure accountability and justice for these families or meaningfully provide for the safety and security of those in the West Bank. This resolution will help Congress receive information it needs to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars do not bankroll such abuses,” said Senator Wyden.
The resolution draws upon Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which allows Congress to file a privileged resolution that, if passed, would require the State Department to provide information on any country receiving U.S. security assistance and that country’s observance of internationally-recognized human rights. After introduction, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has ten days to consider it in committee, and if it fails to do so, the resolution can be called up for a vote on the Senate floor. If the resolution passes the Senate, the Trump Administration must submit the report within 30 days or the majority of security assistance authorized to Israel would be prohibited. If the resolution passes, and following the receipt of the State Department report, Congress may consider any necessary changes to U.S. security assistance to that country in light of the information received. If the Administration declines or fails to submit the required report, the Administration’s decision would prompt the termination of certain covered security assistance programs for Israel.
JUST one of a multitude of reports coming out of Israel and the illegally occupied territories, many by Israeli film makers, journalist and politicians, documenting the genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity being committed daily by the Israeli government of bibi netanyahu, the Israeli Defense Forces/IDF, Israeli security forces, Mossad and illegal Israeli settlers throughout Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights ( right now there are no known Israeli settlements in Gaza ). "Naza" documents the genocide being committed on Palestinians in Gaza by the netanyahu government, the IDF and Israeli security. You can see an example of the vile Israeli propaganda campaign against the exposure of their crimes here. This from DemocracyNow!.....
The film NAZA, which documents the Israeli military’s use of secret AI-powered systems to deliberately and systematically target and massacre civilians in Gaza, won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival Saturday. The film was directed by Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and filmmaker Rachel Szor, both of whom won an Oscar for the documentary No Other Land in 2025 along with Palestinian co-directors Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal. NAZA was shot in secret on rooftops in Tel Aviv over three years and builds on testimony from Israeli military and intelligence sources who spoke on the condition their identities be concealed. The film’s title refers to an acronym used by the Israeli military as a shorthand for civilian killings in Gaza.
The film’s reception in Venice, where it received a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation, was met with angry backlash from Israel’s government as Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatened to revoke Abraham and Szor’s Israeli citizenship.
Transcript
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
AMYGOODMAN: Te film ”NAZA” — which documents the Israeli military’s use of secret AI-powered systems to deliberately and systematically target and massacre civilians in Gaza — won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival Saturday. The film received a record-breaking 25-minute standing ovation when it premiered last week.
The film was directed by Israeli journalist Yuval Abraham and filmmaker Rachel Szor, both of whom won an Oscar for the documentary “No Other Land” along with Palestinian co-directors Basel Adra and Hamdan Ballal.
“NAZA” was shot in secret on rooftops in Tel Aviv over three years and builds on testimony from Israeli military and intelligence sources who spoke on the condition their identities be concealed. The film’s title refers to an acronym used by the Israeli military as a shorthand for civilian killings in Gaza.
This is part of Yuval Abraham’s acceptance speech in Venice Saturday.
Yuval Abraham: “Thank you to the jury, and we are both very grateful to be here. It’s honestly not very easy to stand here. I’m thinking of all the people—the Israeli politicians, the journalists back home—who are now attacking this film, denying it without even seeing it, and so much is being done to not look at reality. The reality is that since this festival started, just over these 10 days, Israel killed six Palestinian children in Gaza at least: a three-year-old girl at a school that was bombed, a seven-year-old with her father in the car, two sisters at home sleeping. And you know, the Israeli intelligence officers we spoke with talked to us about how this mass killing is systemic—not by accident, but by design. Actions of murder and policies that are based on total dehumanization of Palestinians. And I want to be very clear: this truth has been documented and is known from the very first day thanks to Palestinian journalists. More than 200 of them were killed by Israel in Gaza. Their voices were silenced and denied. We believe that the denial of a crime is what helps it persist. And that’s why it’s really, especially important for us that Israelis watch this film—it’s our country that is doing these crimes—that Europeans watch it, and especially here in Italy, because your government and the German government are blocking pressure on Israel that can end this, that Americans watch it, because that country is funding much of the killing.”
AMYGOODMAN: “NAZA’s” win at Venice was met with angry backlash from Israel’s government with Israeli Culture Minister Miki Zohar threatening to revoke Abraham and Szor’s Israeli citizenship.
In a post on X Sunday, Zohar called the documentary “vile” and accused the filmmakers of treason.
The original content of this program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. Please attribute legal copies of this work to democracynow.org. Some of the work(s) that this program incorporates, however, may be separately licensed. For further information or additional permissions, contact us.
This video from oren/travelingisrael.com is fascist propaganda, using this company makes one complicit in the genocide, war crimes & crimes against humanity being committed in Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon & Golan Heights. Stay away unless you support these crimes by Israeli nazi fascist.
Rep Thomas Massie R-KY, Rep Greg Casar D-TX, and Sen Bernie Sanders I-VT are some of the leaders in congress who are leading efforts to cut the funding for the Israeli Defense Forces while they continue their campaigns of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity on the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Lebanon. I called Rep Suhas Subramanyam's D-VA DC office about his continued support of military aid to Israel and his complicity in Israel's genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity on Palestinians demanding he support stopping funding for the IDF and all Israeli security forces until they stop committing genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity on Palestinians. Please sign Demand Progresses' petition to the US Congress telling them to cut the $3.3 billion from the NSRP and to stop supporting Israel until they stop committing genocide and these crimes and abuses on Palestinians, and then if you can e mail your representative and senators. Below is the e mail I sent to Rep Subramanyam and to Sen Warner D-VA and Sen Kaine D-VA. The articles are from Responsible Statecraft and Council on Foreign Relations.....
TELL Congress: Lawmakers have a chance to reject $3.3 billion in funding for Israel's military. We must send in a wave of pressure to break the pro-Israel consensus in Washington and end support for Israel's genocidal violence. Sign the petition: Vote YES to block $3.3 billion in taxpayer funding for Israel's military!
Democrats in Congress are split over a vote on $3.3 billion in funding for Israel's military.1
For some, the choice is clear. Rep. Greg Casar stated that he would vote to block the funding. "The Israeli government committed war crimes in Gaza and helped drag America into war with Iran," he said. "Americans should not be financing more weapons" for Israel.2
Other House lawmakers remain undecided — though the tide seems to be turning even among historically staunchly pro-Israel Democrats. Why? Because American support for Israel is plummeting amongst the general public. Congress must take a stand and end U.S. complicity with Israel's atrocities in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran NOW.
Israel has committed atrocities in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran with the full backing of the U.S. government despite only 16% of Americans supporting unconditional aid to Israel.3 Despite so-called ceasefires, Israel continues occupying large parts of Lebanon, and carries out near-daily attacks on Gaza.
The U.S. Senate has shown historic support for ending unconditional weapons sales to Israel in recent months. We need to carry that momentum to this House vote.
Our lawmakers must end U.S. support for Israel's relentless violence in the Middle East.
Politico, "Democrats are 'looking for guidance' on Israel. Hakeem Jeffries isn’t giving any at the moment,"July 6, 2026.
Common Dreams, "Progressive Caucus Leader Backs Amendment to Cut Off Billions in US Military Aid to Israel,"June 30, 2026.
Responsible Statecraft, "Massie moves to strike $3.3B in Israel military aid from the budget,"June 24, 2026.
I demand you sponsor and support Rep Thomas Massie's amendment to HR 8595 removing $3.3 billion from the NSRP for the Israeli Defense Forces. You have been a long time participant in the murders of American Palestinians in the West Bank as well as a long time participant in the genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity being waged by the IDF and all other Israeli security services along with illegal Israeli settlers against Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Lebanon. It is time for you to end your complicity in these crimes, time for you to condemn the neo-nazi fascist Israeli reich no matter how much you have been paid by aipac and all other pro genocide, pro war crimes, and pro crimes against humanity pro Israeli pacs and organizations. I also expect you to work with the entire Virginia delegation to sponsor and support Rep Massie's amendment in the House and like legislation in the Senate.
The House Rules Committee has advanced an amendment by Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to strip $3.3 billion in funding for the Israel Defense Forces from the federal budget.
That means that as early as Thursday, every member of the House will have to vote on the proposal. Constituents will have the opportunity to see if their member will vote to end U.S. funding for Israel, or continue it.
The funds targeted would come out of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act (NSRP), the bill that funds the State Department, international development assistance, and global organizations.
Although the amendment is unlikely to pass, it will require members of Congress to decide if they want to be seen as advocating for a continuation of the U.S.-Israel relationship, or a new approach. As Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted, only 16% of Americans support unconditional aid to Israel.
For members on the right, they will have to explain to their constituents why they are voting to continue sending billions of taxpayer dollars to a foreign country that just dragged the U.S. into an unnecessary war with Iran, spiking gas prices for ordinary Americans before ending in military defeat. Even 51% of Republicans, in addition to three-quarters of Democrats, now say that Israel exerts too much sway over U.S. foreign policy. For Republicans who voted for an “America First” foreign policy, the blank check to Israel has become harder to defend.
For members on the left, they will have to justify why the U.S. continues to enable Israel’s horrifying violence against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, its occupation of Lebanon and Syria, and its attacks on seven countries over the past year, including Qatar, a major non-NATO U.S. ally. By providing Israel with billions in aid no matter how destabilizing its behavior, no matter how many international bodies and organizations accuse it of genocide and atrocities, Washington encourages Israel to behave even more aggressively.
Whereas if a significant portion of members vote in favor of the Massie amendment, even if it does not pass, this could send an important signal to Israel that it might want to rethink its bellicosity towards the rest of the region. This could be especially useful in an election year, as Israelis head to the polls to select a new leader, likely not Benjamin Netanyahu. In the absence of any such messaging from Washington, Israelis will continue their current trajectory: futilely trying to create security through violence.
Yet instead of sending that signal to Israel, many in Congress will likely stick to their AIPAC provided talking points.
For example, AIPAC asserts that the U.S. and Israel share security interests in the Middle East. This point is harder to make in the midst of the Trump administration’s efforts to avoid a return to open conflict with Iran by implementing the MOU, while the Israeli Defense Minister stated that Israel will continue to occupy and attack Lebanon, a clear attempt to reignite the war.
Another talking point asserts that the U.S.-Israel relationship is good for American jobs. However even according to the American Jewish Committee, the relationship only directly enables 20,000 jobs, or .012% of the U.S. workforce.
Moreover, supporters like to argue that without $3.3 billion from Washington, Israel would be defenseless. Yet Israel recently overtook the U.K. to become the seventh biggest exporter of arms and weaponry. Israel has broken its own record for arms exports every year for the past five years, reaching $19.2 billion in sales in 2025. Clearly, Israel has more than enough spare defense capacity.
The perception that Israel needs U.S. support or it will face an existential threat is fading, replaced with concerns about what U.S. money has enabled Israel to do and whether that reflects U.S. interests. Poll after poll has demonstrated a fundamental shift in American opinions. A Sienna/New York Times poll in May showed that almost three-quarters of Democratic voters oppose U.S. military aid to Israel. While a majority of Republicans continue to support the aid, younger Republicans increasingly question the scale.
In terms of the U.S.-Israel relationship more broadly, in April, the Pew Research Center found that a record 60% of American adults now have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53% just last year. Massie’s amendment reflects this shift.
And yet this may be the last time such a vote is possible. Proponents of Israel aid are pushing to remove it from the category of direct military assistance, which is appropriated through the NSRP, to the category of defense contracts, which Congress does not vote on. Massie, along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and co-sponsors Jim McGovern, Chuy Garcia, Rashida Tlaib, and Don Beyer, are trying to strip that amendment, section 219 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), in order to prevent the integration of the U.S. and Israel defense industrial sectors.
It is precisely the shift in public opinion, and the desire to reduce aid to Israel, that is driving the effort by Israel to shield funding for Israel’s military from public opposition. The vote on Massie’s amendment, to be taken up as early as Thursday, even if it doesn’t pass, will be revealing — for who does and who doesn’t vote for it.
Annelle Sheline, PhD, is a Research Fellow in the Middle East program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. She previously served as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor’s Office of Near Eastern Affairs.
The views expressed by authors on Responsible Statecraft do not necessarily reflect those of the Quincy Institute or its associates.
Israel has long been the leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid, including military assistance. That aid has come under heightened scrutiny over the course of Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and Iran.
Updated
The United States was the first country to recognize the provisional government of the state of Israel upon its founding in 1948, and for many decades it has been a strong and steady supporter of the Jewish state. Israel has received hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid in the post–World War II era, a level of support that reflects many factors, including a U.S. commitment to Israel’s security and the countries’ shared foreign policy interests in a volatile and strategically important part of the world. Israel is also a leading buyer of U.S. weapons systems via traditional arms sales.
The two countries do not have a mutual defense pact, as the United States has with allies such as Japan and fellow members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, Israel is among a short list of “major non-NATO allies” and also has privileged access to the most advanced U.S. military platforms and technologies.
In 2024, U.S. military aid to Israel soared to its highest level in decades during Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza. The conflict was sparked by Hamas’s October 2023 attack that killed approximately twelve hundred Israelis—the deadliest in the country’s history. More than sixty-five thousand Palestinians, including a large share of civilians, have died in the conflict,according to the United Nations and the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. U.S. military support also proved essential during Israel’s recent hostilities with Hezbollah in Lebanon and with Iran, helping Israel significantly degrade the military capabilities of its longtime rivals.
How much U.S. aid does Israel receive?
Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid since its founding, receiving over $300 billion (adjusted for inflation) in total economic and military assistance. While the United States has also provided large foreign aid packages to other Middle Eastern countries, particularly Egypt and Iraq, Israel stands apart.
Israel Is the Largest Cumulative Recipient of U.S. Aid Since 1946
Total aid from fiscal years 1946 to 2024 (constant 2024 dollars)
A bar chart of the largest cumulative recipients of U.S. aid, showing Israel as the largest recipient with over $300 billion since 1946, most of which has been military aid
