Khanna on voting against aid to Israel: This ‘was a stand against a blank check for Netanyahu’

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said he voted against additional aid to Israel to oppose a “blank check” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Khanna was one of 37 Democrats who voted against sending more funding to Israel on Saturday amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The House on Saturday approved a long-awaited foreign aid package that includes more funding for Ukraine, Israel and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It was a difficult vote. I mean, look, this was a stand against a blank check for Netanyahu and offensive weapons unconditionally as he talks about going to Rafah with — when we know that more women and children are going to die,” Khanna said on ABC’s “This Week.” . .”

“And the reason why people like Jamie Raskin, Lloyd Doggett and myself, who voted for aid to Israel year after year and voted for Iron Dome, took this position, is that we wanted to make it clear that there has to be a change in strategy and end hunger and suffering in Gaza”, he added.

The foreign aid package – which was split into four separate votes – includes about $61 billion for Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel and humanitarian aid in Gaza and elsewhere, and $8 billion for Taiwan. and other US allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Khanna was released a joint statement yesterday with several Democrats over their decision not to support the Israel funding bill and urged the US to help work towards a ceasefire in the region to free the hostages.

“We all support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and are committed to a sovereign, safe and secure future for Israel. To protect that future, we believe
the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows for the release of hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the beginning of peace talks,” the statement said.