The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a resolution Wednesday supporting Israel’s “right to self-defense” and condemning Hamas’ attack but saw ten representatives -- nine Democrats and one Republican -- oppose it.
All total, 16 representatives either voted “no” or “present.”
The resolution describes the attack in detail and then declares the House of Representatives “stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.”
Further, the resolution “reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense,” condemns “Hamas’ brutal war against Israel,” and “calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas’ brutal war against Israel.” It also “reaffirms the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security” and says the U.S. “stands ready to assist Israel with emergency resupply and other security, diplomatic, and intelligence support.”
It passed by a vote of 412-10, with six members voting present.
Voting against it were Reps. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), Cori Bush (Mo.), Andre Carson (Ind.), Al Green (Texas), Summer Lee (Pa.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.).
Voting present were Greg Casar (Texas), Joaquin Castro (Texas), Chuy Garcia (Ill.), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Nydia Velazquez (N.Y.).
Except for Massie, all are Democrats. Some of the representatives who voted no or present explained their votes on social media and in statements.
“I condemn the barbaric attack on Israel, and I affirm Israel’s right to defend itself,” Massie wrote, explaining he opposed the resolution because it “asserts the necessity of foreign aid commitments which I have voted against.”
Omar said she is “committed to peace and a prompt ceasefire” but “cannot support a resolution that fails to acknowledge and mourn the lives of Palestinians taken by the Israeli military.”
“The resolution also fails to acknowledge the Israeli government's military bombardment of Gaza,” Omar said.
The resolution says, “Hamas is directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians.” It also says, “Hamas terrorists have killed over 900 Israelis and injured more than 2,600 others.”
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
