Florida Democrats Split on Funding for Israel

A major development occurred on Capitol Hill on Thursday as the House of Representatives passed a $14.3 billion funding package for Israel. The aid was approved by a 226-196 vote.

Twelve of the “Yea” votes came from Democrats joining all but two Republicans – Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). Five Democratic votes for the bill came from Florida Democrats including Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto, and Frederica Wilson.

Rep. Frankel provided a statement following her decision to stand with Republicans in order to “stand with Israel.”

“The United States has a moral duty and a national security urgency to aid Israel in defending herself,” said Rep. Frankel. “Make no mistake, Hamas terrorists and others in the region are out to destroy Israel and kill all Jews. We must send an unequivocal message to the world that we stand with Israel.”

Frankel is a part of the Congressional Hellenic Israel Alliance Caucus, as well as the Democratic Israel Working Group Caucus.

However, Florida Democrats such as Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Kathy Castor, and Maxwell Frost stayed with the party.

With this in mind, Rep. Frost not only voted against Israel funding, but he has sided with all four members of “The Squad” in calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine. Only 22 members of Congress (including both the House and the Senate) have called for a ceasefire. The tweet below was reposted by Rep. Frost.

Days after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel committed by Hamas, member of the Squad Rep. Tlaib seemingly justified the attack, calling Israel an "apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance" and demanded funding for the Jewish State to stop lest "this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue."

Rep. Frost’s colleague, Rep. Moskowitz has called out Rep. Tlaib in the past as well as more recently.

In July, Moskowitz was asked about a House Resolution that affirmed the governing body’s support for Israel that Rep. Tlaib voted against.

"Vast amounts of Democrats around the country support Israel and the overwhelming amount of Democrats in Congress support Israel. There are 212 of us that are supportive of Israel and voted for that resolution. So, if there are seven or eight of us that disagree, they are wrong, but they are entitled to their opinion," said Moskowitz.

After the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against Israel, Tlaib showcased a Palestinian flag outside her office.

Moskowitz, a Jew, responded with a flag of his own.

“New Flag added outside my office!” said Rep. Moskowitz.

According to The Hill, both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are against the barely bipartisan House bill as they want to pair it with Ukraine funding. It will be an uphill battle for newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) just to get the bill to President Joe Biden's (D) desk. The President a bill has threatened to veto the bill.