180 members of the US House of Representatives refused to pass aid to Israel without Ukraine (Reuters)
Late yesterday, Tuesday, the US House of Representatives rejected a bill submitted by Republicans to provide $17.6 billion to Israel.
Democrats opposed this bill because they wanted to vote on a more comprehensive law that would also provide aid to Ukraine and international humanitarian funding efforts and provide new funding for border security.
250 deputies voted in favor of the draft law and 180 rejected it, but it was not passed because it was presented under a quick procedure that requires a two-thirds majority for approval.
The initiative to provide aid to Israel enjoys strong support from both the Republican and Democratic parties in Congress.
But many opponents have described the House bill as a political ploy by Republicans to divert attention from their opposition to the Senate bill, which includes $118 billion in funding, combining reform of US immigration policy with new funding for border security and billions of dollars in emergency aid to Ukraine. Israel and Washington's partners in the Indian and Pacific Oceans region.
Existential threats
A battle is taking place in Congress between Republicans and Democratic President Joe Biden over American aid to Israel and Ukraine.
Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro said: “This achieves nothing and delays the delivery of aid to our allies and the provision of humanitarian relief.” She urged opposition to the bill dedicated to Israel only.
She added: "Our allies face existential threats, and our friends and enemies around the world are watching and waiting to see how America will respond."
Biden pledged to veto the House of Representatives bill related to supporting Israel alone.
Source: Agencies