House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good (R-VA) is introducing a resolution condemning calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza as Democratic lawmakers and progressive leaders continue to call for an end to the conflict that began last fall.
Good plans to introduce the Stand with Israel Resolution on Tuesday that will “express strong support for America’s close friend” and “denounces calls for a ceasefire with Gaza, and for the establishment of an independent state of Palestine.” The resolution has 18 House Republican co-sponsors, many of whom are also members of the conservative Freedom Caucus who have blasted the Biden administration for its approach to Israel.
“Instead of unequivocally backing our most important ally in the Middle East, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have undermined Israel’s efforts to defend itself by repeatedly suggesting there should be a ceasefire in Gaza,” Good said in a statement on Monday. “The United States must continue to support Israel as they defend themselves from the Hamas terrorists who have brutally attacked their citizens, including women, children, and the elderly.”
“In the absence of leadership from the White House, I am proud to be joined by my colleagues in the House who stand with Israel,” the congressman continued.
Co-sponsors on Good’s resolution include Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Bill Posey (R-FL), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Randy Weber (R-TX), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Mike Ezell (R-MS), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Eric Burlison (R-MO).
The resolution comes months after the House passed a resolution affirming its support for Israel on Oct. 25, 2023, a little over two weeks after Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organization, attacked the Jewish state and killed over 1,300 Israelis. Lawmakers voted 412-10 to affirm support for Israel.
Most of the “no” or “present” votes were members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, such as Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Cori Bush (D-MO).
Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, has called for a ceasefire since Israel launched counterattacks in Gaza and blasted the Biden administration for its support of Israel. The House censured Tlaib in November last year for anti-Israel rhetoric and “promoting false narratives” about the Oct. 7 attack.
The House Republicans’ resolution also comes the day after Vice President Kamala Harris echoed calls from Democrats for a ceasefire during a speech in Selma, Alabama, commemorating the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Harris criticized both Israel and Hamas for different reasons in her speech, arguing that Israel needs to “do more to significantly increase the flow of aid” in Gaza.
President Joe Biden and his administration have been staunch supporters of Israel during the conflict, but have recently shifted to providing humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians and calling for ceasefires in the wake of low polling and an “uncommitted” primary ballot movement growing in popularity. Biden’s campaign, which relied heavily on the Muslim American voting bloc in 2020, has lost key allies and supporters over the conflict, and the movement to push people to vote “uncommitted” in the primary reached over 100,000 votes in Michigan — and it is a factor in several other Super Tuesday primary states.
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A poll surveying Arab Americans in October 2023 found that those planning to vote for Biden plummeted from 59% in 2020 to just 17%, largely in response to the president’s support for Israel.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Congressional Progressive Caucus for comment.
