Frustrated Democrats go on offense after Netanyahu win
Democrats are racing to salvage the prospect of Palestinian statehood after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a fifth term with promises to annex the West Bank.
Democrats in Congress came out swinging this week after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a fifth term with the aid of his right-wing allies.
Netanyahu’s close alignment with President Donald Trump and his dalliance with the extremist Jewish Power party has opened him up to unprecedented criticism from even staunchly pro-Israel Democrats in recent months. The Israeli leader’s last-minute campaign promise to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank has added fuel to the fire, generating condemnation far beyond the party’s left fringe.
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., fired the opening legislative salvo on Thursday, introducing a resolution calling on the Trump administration to restore US assistance to the West Bank and Gaza.
“Aid to innocent civilians should not be caught up in broader geopolitical battles,” Merkley told Al-Monitor. “We can and should restore aid to children and other vulnerable populations at the same time as we stand steadfastly by Israel’s security.”
