WASHINGTON – The deadly violence in Israel and Gaza isn’t just an urgent foreign policy crisis for President Joe Biden. It’s also a fraught political issue in Washington, with Democrats increasingly divided over America's traditional support for Israel.
Biden is under mounting pressure from progressives to offer stronger support for the Palestinians, who were sidelined during much of the Trump administration. However, the U.S. has consistently supported Israel economically and militarily since its founding.
"The movement for a more balanced U.S. policy that is pro-Israel, pro-peace, anti-occupation … has grown significantly over the past few years, and it’s become a major force in the Democratic Party," said Logan Bayroff, communications director for J Street, a left-leaning Jewish advocacy group.
Tensions between lawmakers were especially heightened Monday morning after the Washington Post reported Monday that the Biden administration approved $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel.
Members of Congress were notified of the sale on May 5. It is just a fraction of the more than $3 billion in annual security assistance the United States sends to Israel.
Road More: USAtoday.com
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