Friends,
House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to destroy a bipartisan effort to fund urgent military aid to Ukraine and Israel as well as humanitarian aid to Gaza – and he’s weaponizing security aid to Israel to do it.
We need you to tell your Members of Congress to push back.
Here’s what you need to know:
This Weekend: Senate Republicans and Democrats reached a bipartisan deal to secure the border, fund military aid to Ukraine and Israel, and fund humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Then: Former President Trump told Republicans to reject the deal they negotiated in order to deny Democrats a victory and keep border control a live issue for Trump in November.
Now: Egged on by Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing for a vote TONIGHT for his alternative “no strings attached” military aid package just for the Israeli government: No oversight measures. No humanitarian aid. No support for Ukraine.
Friends – This rushed vote is a blatant effort to derail aid to Gaza and Ukraine. Johnson is daring Members to vote ‘NO’ on this inadequate alternative, knowing that Trump, AIPAC and the MAGA movement will attack them as “anti-Israel” if they do.
The White House and Democratic House Leader Jeffries are pushing back, blasting Republicans for this “political ploy” with President Biden threatening to veto the bill. But the only way to defeat this effort is if Members of Congress stand united and reject those who play political games with Israel’s security and Palestinian lives.
Pro-Israel Americans must speak clearly: While we must support assistance to strengthen Israel’s security, it cannot be used as a political wedge in an effort to deny humanitarian aid to Gaza or support for our allies in Ukraine.
At J Street, we know that Israel’s security must not and cannot come at the expense of the Palestinian people. We know that it’s in nobody’s interest to exacerbate a dire humanitarian catastrophe on Israel’s doorstep – fueling death, despair and misery that only benefits terror groups like Hamas and puts both Israeli and US interests at risk. We urge pro-Israel leaders to heed the warnings of security experts in Israel and America, rather than doing the bidding of President Trump and right-wing extremists.
The battle lines of tonight’s vote are clear: On one side is Trump, MAGA Republicans and AIPAC who are trying to wedge Democrats, cut humanitarian support for Gaza and hand a blank check to the Netanyahu government. On the other is President Biden, House Democratic leadership, J Street and the overwhelming majority of pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans who reject these cynical, dangerous political games.
Let’s make sure our representatives in Congress understand the stakes. Please read, sign and share our petition today >>
With an ongoing catastrophe on the ground and urgent efforts to broker a deal to release the hostages and end the fighting, the administration doesn’t have time to waste on cynical political games in DC – which is why we must ensure this ploy is swiftly defeated.
Going forward, J Street will continue our work to support the Senate package, pressing for security aid to Israel, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and appropriate transparency and oversight measures to ensure our aid is used in compliance with US and international law.
Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
– J Street Advocacy Team
