Overview
- House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Thursday that the status quo in the West Bank, Gaza and U.S.-Israel relations is unacceptable and called for "dramatic change" while reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
- A group of 12 senators led by Chris Van Hollen this week asked congressional leaders to remove a provision that would create a U.S.-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative from the 2027 NDAA, raising a time-sensitive legislative question.
- When asked about the Senate effort, Jeffries declined to say whether he supports removing the disputed NDAA language and said he had not yet spoken with Senator Van Hollen.
- Progressive protesters disrupted Jeffries at the What’s Next conference in Denver on Friday, voicing anger over his Israel positions, ties to corporate donors and a recent failed impeachment push, underscoring active dissent within the Democratic base.
- Major obstacles stand between talk and action because the current 2016 Memorandum of Understanding that provides about $3.8 billion a year to Israel expires in 2028, changes to aid or defense integration would face Senate math and a likely presidential veto, and any new deal will hinge on complex negotiations.