On Gaza, Democrats Are Talking One Way but Walking Another
As public disapproval of Israel’s war on Gaza grows, it has become increasingly common for elected Democrats to criticize Israel. Nevertheless, the vast majority of them just voted for a bill that cements support for the onslaught as official US policy.
Gazans walk among extensive destruction in the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital in the neighborhood of al-Rimal, Gaza, on April 2, 2024. (Dawoud Abo Alkas / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Most Americans no longer support Israel’s assault on Gaza. While half of US adults approved of it five months ago, only 36 percent do now according to a Gallup survey released Wednesday. Disapproval increased ten percentage points, including twelve points among Democrats. As of this month, 75 percent of Democratic voters disapprove of Israel’s actions.
This drastic shift in public opinion may have prompted a change in what elected Democrats say — criticism of Israel has gone from rare to commonplace — but it hasn’t changed what they do. The overwhelming majority of Democrats just voted for a bill that cements aiding and abetting genocide as official US policy.
A Pro-Israel Bill by Any Other Name
The public didn’t have much time to see what was in the $1.2 trillion spending bill before it was enacted last weekend. In the span of three days, the text of the 1,012-page legislation was unveiled by congressional leaders, approved by the House and Senate, then signed into law by President Joe Biden.
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