Jeffries calls for 'dramatic change' in US military aid to Israel, and backs a two-state solution
US House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called on Thursday for 'dramatic change' in the Middle East — in the West Bank, in Gaza and in the US military-aid agreement with Israel — and restated his support for a two-state solution, with a safe and secure Israel living beside an independent Palestinian state. He stopped short of endorsing a Senate proposal to strip provisions deepening US–Israel defence cooperation from the defence bill. Democrats prepare to take control of both houses of Congress on 3 January after sweeping midterm victories last week, and Jeffries is expected to become House speaker.
Key points
- Jeffries: 'The status quo is unacceptable, and we need dramatic change' — in the West Bank, in Gaza and in the US–Israel aid agreement.
- He backed a two-state solution: a safe and secure Israel beside an independent Palestinian state.
- He did not endorse the Van Hollen proposal to strip US–Israel defence provisions from the defence bill.
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- The aid agreement provides $3.8 billion a year and expires in September 2028; Democrats take control of Congress on 3 January.
What happened
Democrats' sweeping victories in last week's midterm elections put US support for Israel — and the war with Iran — in front of a Congress the party will control from January, while the Republican president keeps the veto. What Jeffries will put to a vote, and what would survive a veto, are separate questions.
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- That Jeffries made these statements on Thursday, in his own words, and did not endorse the Van Hollen proposal.
- That the current aid agreement runs at $3.8 billion a year to September 2028.
What we don't know yet
- What specific changes to the aid agreement Jeffries will propose — he named none on Thursday.
- Whether any conditions on aid could pass both houses and survive a presidential veto.
Claim by claim
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Why this label: These are Jeffries' own words at his press conference, reported by Reuters and the Jerusalem Post in the same terms.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why this label: The aid figure and the expiry date are Reuters'; Jeffries' answer on the Van Hollen proposal is reported the same way by Reuters and JBizNews — he stopped short of endorsing it.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why this label: Jeffries' characterisation of the Iran war is his position, carried as such; the campaign and Congress context is Reuters'.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why it matters
The incoming House speaker is setting the terms for the next aid agreement with America's closest Middle East ally before the current one expires — and signalling that the Democratic majority intends to test how far conditions on that aid can go.
Background
Democrats win sweeping midterm victories, taking control of both houses of Congress from 3 January.
The current US–Israel Memorandum of Understanding, providing $3.8 billion a year in military aid, expires.
Update history
No silent edits. Every change is written here, with its time.
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Published. Basis: Reuters' report of Jeffries' own words at his press conference, with the Jerusalem Post in agreement.