In Gaza, the more things change, the more they stay the same — horrible.
Back in March 2024, then-President Joe Biden — worried about a humanitarian crisis as Palestinian civilians suffered during the brutal war between Israel and Hamas — ordered U.S. airdrops of food into Gaza.
Biden also directed the Navy to spend hundreds of millions of dollars building a “floating pier” so that U.S. aid could go directly to Palestinians as Israeli forces blocked food deliveries. This project turned into a disaster.
Under pressure from rank-and-file Democrats, Biden — who hugged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a visit to Israel following the Oct. 7 terror attack — blocked the transfer of some heavy U.S.-made bombs to Israeli forces as they invaded southern Gaza. Yet Biden greenlighted other huge weapons sales to the longtime U.S. ally.
Fast forward to now. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is even worse. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died during the 22-month war. Famine and “widespread starvation” in Gaza are growing, according to the United Nations.
European and Arab nations are air-dropping food and other aid to beleaguered Palestinians. President Donald Trump may have the United States “take over” aid deliveries, according to Axios, even as new weapons sales to Israel are approved.
Ceasefire talks involving the United States, Israel and Hamas have broken down again, as they did repeatedly under Biden.
Although weakened by the long war, Hamas remains a threat. On Friday, the U.S.-designated terror group released a video of an emaciated Israeli hostage being forced to dig his own grave. The video sparked outrage among Israelis, and Netanyahu and other top officials are debating a new Israeli occupation of part or even all of Gaza.
When asked on Tuesday about this potentially significant move by Israel, Trump told reporters, “That’s pretty much going to be up to Israel.”
Members head to Israel: Amid this latest Gaza crisis, dozens of House members are heading to Israel.
Roughly 20 Democrats will travel to Israel today led by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), one of Israel’s staunchest supporters among Hill Democrats.
A similar-sized GOP group is being led by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, according to Jewish Insider. These trips are sponsored by AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel organization.
The members are expected to meet with Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid, among other top Israeli officials.
Speaker Mike Johnson — a vocal Israel supporter — is currently leading a group of members to Israel as well. Johnson visited an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, calling it Israel’s “by right,” Israeli media reported. Johnson’s comments triggered an angry response from Palestinian officials, who denounced it as a “blatant violation of international law.”
Johnson is accompanied on this trip by GOP Reps. Michael McCaul (Texas), Michael Cloud (Texas), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) and Nathaniel Moran (Texas). The trip is being sponsored by a group called the U.S. Israel Education Association. The USIEA “values the Judeo-Christian heritage and the historical and biblical significance of Israel,” its website states.
Israel’s standing in the U.S. Americans’ views on Israel — especially younger Americans — have never been more negative. And this latest Gaza crisis has only deepened the divide over Israel within the Democratic Party, in particular.
Support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has cratered overall. While a large majority of Republicans still back Israel’s efforts, just 8% of Democrats do, a recent Gallup poll showed. Support among independents is down to 25%. CNN reported similar results.
As we told you last week, 27 Senate Democrats voted for a resolution to block arms sales to Israel, which is more than half the Senate Democratic Caucus. Another resolution offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) received 24 votes. Previous resolutions always netted fewer than 20 votes.
Rep. Ro Khanna’s (D-Calif.) letter calling for recognition of a Palestinian state has attracted support from more than a dozen progressive House Democrats.
“Today, I am calling for the United States to officially recognize a Palestinian state,” Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) announced on Tuesday. Quigley described himself as “deeply horrified” by the looming famine in Gaza.
Democrats blame Trump and other GOP leaders for their unwavering support of Netanyahu’s policies, saying that has actually damaged Israel’s standing internationally. Trump and Republicans counter that they – not Democrats – are Israel’s true friends.
“This war would be over tomorrow if Hamas wanted the war to be over. They control the hostages. Give up the hostages, the war is over,” said Brian Romick, president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel and a former top House Democratic staffer.
“Two, since Oct. 7, Joe Biden was singularly focused on protecting Israel’s place in the world. Donald Trump has done none of that, and he ought to be working on it.”
