Three pro-Israel Democratic lawmakers have been selected for leadership roles on the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), as the party remains deeply split over Israel aid policy.
On Tuesday (U.S. time), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) was named the top Democrat on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) subcommittee, a position that allows him, a vocal Israel supporter, to influence U.S. policy in the region. He succeeds Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).
Additionally, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) was appointed to the Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee, while Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) was assigned to the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. All three recently fended off primary challenges from progressive opponents who criticized their pro-Israel stances.
In contrast, Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), a Palestine advocate, was only assigned to the Africa Subcommittee. The appointments have sparked backlash within the party, with many members arguing the decisions do not reflect the views of the electorate.
Polling shows that American support for Israel has been declining, particularly since the Israeli military operation in Gaza began in October 2023. A Pew Research Center survey from March indicated that 60% of U.S. adults hold unfavorable views of Israel, up from 42% in 2022.
A separate CNN/SSRS poll conducted last month found that 54% of respondents said they would support candidates who favor cutting aid to Israel, and that figure rises to 70% among Democratic-leaning voters.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the first Palestinian American in Congress, called the appointments an act of “ignoring” the voices of Democratic voters. She criticized Moskowitz for previously saying he stood “on the right side” of Vice President JD Vance regarding the military campaign against Iran.
Other critics, including Ben Rhodes, a former deputy national security adviser under President Barack Obama, called the decisions “a slap” to Democratic voters. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also expressed “deep concern,” saying the appointments show House leadership is “deliberately defying the will of the American people.”
However, some House Democratic leaders defended the move. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), who was involved in the selection, said the new members will help the committee address national security and diplomatic challenges.
Republicans currently control the House with a narrow majority, so they chair the committees. Still, if Democrats regain the majority in November's midterms, Moskowitz could become chairman of the MENA subcommittee.
On social media, Moskowitz said that if appointed, he would “strengthen U.S. ties with Israel and Gulf allies, expand regional peace, and advance U.S. diplomacy.”
