The leaders of the two major Jewish lobbying groups of the two parties in the US issued a rare and united call to Congress overnight between Sunday and Monday demanding approval of the aid package to Israel, following Iran's massive missile attack. This is a step unprecedented in decades, if ever.
In a joint statement to the media, Republican Jewish Coalition Chief Executive Officer Matt Brooks and Democratic Majority for Israel CEO Mark Mellman wrote that their organizations "rarely see eye to eye.
But today we are united in condemning Iran's unwarranted, indiscriminate, and disproportionate attack against Israeli civilians – Jewish and Arab. Iran has been making war against Israel for six months through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. Yesterday Iran made war against Israel directly."
Beyond the united support for Israel, the two organizations are appealing to Congressional leaders to approve the aid package for Israel that has been stalled for six months due to domestic political disagreements on Capitol Hill.
"We also agree that Congress has an important role to play at this moment. President Biden, Speaker Johnson, Leader Schumer, Minority Leader McConnell and House Minority Leader Jeffries all support much needed aid for Israel. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate came together to pass that aid months ago," the joint statement said. "Democratic Majority for Israel and the Republican Jewish Coalition both believe the House of Representatives must also pass an emergency supplemental that can be signed by the President.
History will not forgive the failure of Congress to act. Let's get it done!"
The rare unified appeal comes after months of gridlock, primarily in the Republican Party, with some members refusing any proposals related to the foreign aid package put forth by the administration. Their opposition came after President Joe Biden bundled into one bill American funding for Ukraine, Israel and combating illegal immigration to the US. Some House members primarily object to the extensive aid to Ukraine. A few even threatened to remove their fellow Republican Mike Johnson from his speaker of the House of Representatives position if he passed the joint proposal with Biden. At the start of 2024, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted by his colleagues under similar circumstances.
As a result of the gridlock, aid to Israel has also been delayed. Now, following the severe attack on the Jewish state, the two groups hope their joint appeal will get the aid package unstuck.
