Democratic support for 'Israel' shifts amid war on Gaza, 'annexation'
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Democratic lawmakers are reconsidering military aid to "Israel" as Gaza’s crisis deepens, with progressives urging US recognition of Palestinian statehood.
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The Capitol is seen during rainy weather in Washington, Thursday, September 25, 2025 (AP)
Some of "Israel's" most reliable Democratic allies in Washington are showing signs of doubt as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and progressives push more forcefully for recognition of Palestinian rights.
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, a centrist Democrat long known for backing military aid to the Israeli regime, told Axios at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that for the first time, he would consider supporting limits on US weapons sales.
“If there is no change in direction from the Israeli administration, for the first time I would seriously consider that,” Coons said, noting that he had never before voted to withhold weapons from the Israeli military.
His remarks follow comments last month from Representative Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, who urged leveraging arms sales to pressure the Israeli occupation over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Lawmakers warn Netanyahu
On Thursday, 178 of the 212 Democrats in the House signed a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring they were “deeply opposed” to any "annexation" of West Bank territory.
“Such a move would not only violate international law but undermine decades of bipartisan US policy and threaten the progress of the Abraham Accords,” the letter said.
The effort was led by Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois, a staunchly pro-Israeli Democrat, and signed by party leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar.
Speaking to reporters, Jeffries said the letter “speaks for itself” but stressed the need to surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, secure the release of captives, and restore a ceasefire as part of efforts toward “a just and lasting peace.”
Progressive momentum
Progressive Democrats are going further, urging the US to follow the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and other allies in recognizing Palestinian statehood. Some 46 House Democrats have signed a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio making that call, led by Representative Ro Khanna of California.
Notably, Jewish lawmakers such as Reps. Sara Jacobs, Jan Schakowsky, and Becca Balint signed the appeal. Balint, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, has already described the war on Gaza as “genocide". Clark used the same language before later retracting it.
According to one progressive House Democrat who spoke anonymously, more colleagues are weighing whether to publicly adopt the term. “There are definitely people who won’t say genocide but will tell you, ‘I know you’re right, but I can’t use that word,’” the lawmaker said.
The same lawmaker added that even members who would once have dismissed calls to halt weapons transfers to the Israeli occupation are now considering the option. The shifts reflect not only rising discontent with the Netanyahu government but also the growing influence of progressives pressing for US recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Progressive Caucus backs bill halting US arms to 'Israel'
In a historic first for one of the largest caucuses in the American Congress, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) voted to endorse legislation that would halt US arms transfers to "Israel" amid its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, which the caucus has characterized as a genocide, Anadolu reported.
In a move representing nearly 100 House members, the Congressional Progressive Caucus backed the Block the Bombs Act, which would stop shipments of specific munitions like bunker buster bombs and 155mm artillery shells until "Israel" ends its human rights violations.
According to an exclusive story from Zeteo, CPC Chair Rep. Greg Casar said in a statement, "The United States cannot continue to send bombs we know will be used to commit terrible atrocities in Gaza."
“The Block the Bombs bill is the first step toward oversight and accountability for the murder of children with US-made, taxpayer-funded weapons. In the face of authoritarian leaders perpetrating a genocidal campaign, Block the Bombs is the minimum action Congress must take,” said Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez.
Fifty members of the CPC have already signed the bill. American journalist Ryan Grim emphasized on X the historic nature of the vote, writing that the CPC had historically resisted weighing in on "Israel" because so many of its members were "progressive except for Palestine," an era that is now fading and making this endorsement a major signal.
