After nearly half of House Democrats voted to eliminate U.S. aid to Israel this week, a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group appeared Friday to withhold backing for lawmakers it had endorsed.
The move comes amid a broader realignment in Congress on Israel and is the latest sign of tensions between the Democratic Party and the lobbying group, AIPAC.
Many Democratic lawmakers were torn about the vote this week on an amendment, sponsored by a Republican critic of foreign assistance, that would have stripped both military and humanitarian aid. But 103 Democrats ultimately voted yes, signaling a rebuke of Israel as many Democratic voters have expressed outrage over the war in Gaza. The amendment, which sought to cut $3.3 billion in aid to Israel from a foreign affairs spending bill, was ultimately rejected.
AIPAC chastised those voting in favor. And it appeared to take action against more than a dozen Democratic lawmakers whom it had endorsed as “pro-Israel,” most in safe seats but some with left-wing primary challengers.
Deryn Sousa, an AIPAC spokesperson, said on Friday that “AIPAC members are deeply appreciative of their representatives who stand on principle and are disappointed by those who don’t.”
The lobbying group appeared to remove donation links for 15 lawmakers running for re-election, and for Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, who is not. Here’s a look.
Nancy Pelosi
California, 11th District
Ms. Pelosi, the former speaker, has supported Israel and a two-state solution to the conflict with Palestinians in her 20 terms in office. U.S. support for Israel has played a role in the race to succeed her.
In a statement, she called the vote to end Israel aid “ill-conceived” and an “unfortunate choice,” but said she voted yes “for the message that it sends.”
Katherine M. Clark
Massachusetts, Fifth District
Ms. Clark is the No. 2 House Democrat. Despite reservations, she said in a statement that she voted to halt Israel aid because “we should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not comply with U.S. law, interests, and values.”
Gabe Amo
Rhode Island, First District
Mr. Amo said in a statement that it was “impossible to defend the status quo” on Israel aid and that a “blank check to Netanyahu has allowed a dangerous course that undermines the prospect of peace.”
Jake Auchincloss
Massachusetts, Fourth District
Mr. Auchincloss said on social media that his vote served to criticize President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their war against Iran and for empowering settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
Laura Friedman
California, 30th District
Ms. Friedman is a freshman representative who cosponsored the United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act last year.
Maggie Goodlander
New Hampshire, Second District
Ms. Goodlander said “our alliance with Israel requires a reset” because of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank.
Josh Harder
California, Ninth District
Mr. Harder cosponsored a resolution supporting Israel in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack, but later on began pushing the Biden administration for a cease-fire.
Steven Horsford
Nevada, Fourth District
Mr. Horsford said in a statement that he voted to halt aid to Israel because “Congress has a duty to ensure that assistance to every partner — including Israel — is consistent with American law, our national security interests, and our humanitarian values.”
Glenn F. Ivey
Maryland, Fourth District
Mr. Ivey said in a statement that he voted to block Israel aid because it should no longer be considered “automatic” and that the U.S.-Israel relationship “must be reset around accountability, defensive cooperation, respect for international law and a credible path to two states.”
William Keating
Massachusetts, Ninth District
Mr. Keating lent his support to Israel following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, and in 2024 he voted for the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Seth Magaziner
Rhode Island, Second District
Mr. Magaziner said on social media that “U.S. security assistance can no longer serve as a blank check for actions that make Israelis, Palestinians, and the region as a whole less safe.” He took a similar position last year when he cosponsored a bill to stop the transfer some offensive weapons to Israel.
Richard E. Neal
Massachusetts, First District
Mr. Neal said in a statement that “governments receiving our aid meet the standard our values and laws require.” He added, “What we are seeing in the Middle East is not sustainable and demands a new path grounded in peace, security, and the right to self-determination for all.”
Joe Neguse
Colorado, Second District
Mr. Neguse said in a joint statement with Brittany Pettersen and other Colorado Democrats that the United States “should not be giving military aid to any country that does not comply with our own laws and values.” He added, “The Netanyahu government has failed to meet these standards.”
Brittany Pettersen
Colorado, Seventh District
In the joint statement, she said that “the status quo is not tenable” and added that “we need a different path forward for America’s foreign policy rooted in values and consistent application of the law.”
Pat Ryan
New York, 18th District
Mr. Ryan said on social media that providing $3.3 billion in aid to Mr. Netanyahu’s government is “wrong on every level.” He went on to say that “I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support.”
Adam Smith
Washington, Ninth District
Mr. Smith has criticized surging socialist candidates and rebuked protesters whom he said had vandalized his home over his stance on Israel. He said in a statement that his decision to block aid to Israel was a “very close vote” but added that he had become “incredibly frustrated” by Mr. Netanyahu and sought to “force them to change their actions” by blocking aid.
