Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stood firm in his decision to vote against additional aid to Israel, citing concerns about providing a “blank check” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Khanna was among the 37 Democrats who opposed sending more funding to Israel during Saturday’s vote on a foreign aid package. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Khanna explained that his vote was a stance against providing unconditional support to Netanyahu, particularly in light of the escalating violence and civilian casualties in Gaza.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna (Credits: The Nation)
Acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, Khanna emphasized that his vote was not a rejection of Israel’s right to defend itself but rather a call for a change in strategy to prevent further suffering in Gaza. He underscored the need for a cease-fire and a shift towards diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict.
The foreign aid package, which included significant allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, was divided into four separate votes.
Khanna and other Democrats who opposed the funding for Israel issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to a sovereign and secure future for Israel while calling for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid and peace negotiations.
Rep. Ro Khanna (Credits: Fortune)
Their statement highlighted the importance of supporting defensive measures like the Iron Dome while urging the U.S. to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
By taking a principled stance against unconditional aid to Israel, Khanna and his colleagues signaled their commitment to promoting a just and sustainable peace in the region.
