Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) stood firm in his decision to vote against additional aid to Israel, citing concerns about providing a “blank check” to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Khanna was among the 37 Democrats who opposed sending more funding to Israel during Saturday’s vote on a foreign aid package. Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Khanna explained that his vote was a stance against providing unconditional support to Netanyahu, particularly in light of the escalating violence and civilian casualties in Gaza.

Acknowledging the difficulty of the decision, Khanna emphasized that his vote was not a rejection of Israel’s right to defend itself but rather a call for a change in strategy to prevent further suffering in Gaza. He underscored the need for a cease-fire and a shift towards diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict.
The foreign aid package, which included significant allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region, was divided into four separate votes.
Khanna and other Democrats who opposed the funding for Israel issued a joint statement expressing their commitment to a sovereign and secure future for Israel while calling for a cessation of hostilities to facilitate humanitarian aid and peace negotiations.

Their statement highlighted the importance of supporting defensive measures like the Iron Dome while urging the U.S. to play a constructive role in resolving the conflict and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
By taking a principled stance against unconditional aid to Israel, Khanna and his colleagues signaled their commitment to promoting a just and sustainable peace in the region.