The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has suspended contributions to multiple House Democrats who voted this week to cut off U.S. aid to Israel.
Over 100 House Democrats voted in favor of an amendment, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, to restrict billions of dollars in U.S. funds to Israel.
Although the amendment failed, Democrats almost evenly split on the issue, underscoring a growing rift among the party’s members toward one of America’s closest allies.
After the vote, AIPAC said in a statement that it was “disappointed by the 103 Democrats who voted with Massie to weaken America and our ally Israel.”
Now AIPAC’s campaign contribution portal has effectively curtailed online fundraising for the members who sided with Mr. Massie’s amendment.
Incumbents without donation buttons on the site include House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts; Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado, a member of the senior House Democratic leadership team; and Rep. Pat Ryan of New York, who said he will be “returning” AIPAC funds after the vote.
Longtime establishment Democrats such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California voted in favor of Mr. Massie’s amendment.
Multiple Democrats have said they don’t want AIPAC’s money anyway, tied to discomfort with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct of the Gaza war.
Contributions for some congressional Democrats who opposed the amendment are still active, including for Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar of California.
“AIPAC members are deeply appreciative of their representatives who stand on principle and are disappointed by those who don’t,” an AIPAC spokesperson said in a statement.
The Israel-Gaza war has split the Democratic Party, creating a massive divide between its liberal base and more traditional members. This fracture has resulted in fierce primary election challenges against pro-Israel incumbents and prompted a major internal struggle over future foreign policy.
A pro-Palestinian faction in the Democratic Party has rapidly grown from a liberal fringe into an influential force. Driven by shifting voter sympathies and primary victories by younger, far-left candidates, a historic surge of House Democrats has backed measures to condition or stop military aid to Israel.
Public opinion polling also reflects the shifting dynamics. Data from Gallup surveys showed that, for the first time in over two decades, Americans sympathized more with Palestinians than Israelis.
