Democrats on a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee are focused on “white identity terrorism” rather than the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Washington Free Beacon reports.
The subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and Global Terrorism has scheduled just one May hearing: “The State Department’s Efforts to Combat Transnational White Identity Terrorism.”
“‘White Identity Terrorism’ is the term used by the Department of State to encompass White nationalist and White supremacist terrorists,” according to House Bill H.R. 7345.
The subcommittee has nothing scheduled to discuss the growing violence between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist organization.
Republicans on the committee have pushed for an emergency hearing on the situation in Israel.
“We should focus on supporting Israel rather than hearing about ‘transnational White identity terrorism,’ a non-urgent topic developed by the woke, socialist agenda of your party,” Republican committee members wrote to the Democrat leadership on Monday, according to a copy of the letter obtained exclusively by the Washington Free Beacon.
“We should not waste our time playing political games fueled by identity politics.”
The letter was addressed to Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Gregory Meeks, D.-N.Y., and subcommittee chairman Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla.
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, wrote the letter, which was signed by Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla.; Brian Mast, R-Fla.; Greg Steube, R-Fla.; Scott Perry, R-Pa.; and Tim Burchett, R-Tenn.
“It is unacceptable that Democrat leaders would rather push their divisive agenda and focus only on identity politics instead of holding hearings or doing the bipartisan, substantive work Israel needs,” Jackson told the Free Beacon. “It is time our subcommittee drop identity politics and focus on the real issues.”
While Republicans are pushing for increased assistance and support for Israel’s right to defend itself, Democrats are divided on the latest violence. Progressive lawmakers Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.; and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., have accused Israel of terrorism. They are pressuring the Biden administration to condition U.S. aid to the country.
Pro-Israel Democrat lawmakers have faced attacks from colleagues for supporting the Jewish state.
The Biden administration has defended Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism, but has urged both sides to end the violence.
Still, Press Secretary Jen Psaki last week would not commit to helping Israel replenish its supply of Iron Dome missiles, which destroy incoming terrorist rockets in mid-air.
In their letter, the Republicans called on Democrat committee leaders to force the State Department, Defense Department, and intelligence officials to testify on the situation in Israel.
Foreign Affairs committees historically have approved aid to Israel in a bipartisan fashion.
“It is inconceivable and unacceptable that [the committee] would not host a briefing or hearing on the current situation in Israel,” the letter said. “Israel is the United States’ strongest ally and a linchpin of regional security in the Middle East.”
Republicans also are asking the committee leaders to expedite several bills relating to the Israel-Hamas situation, such as measures reaffirming Congress’ support for Israel and increased sanctions on Hamas, which the State Department in 1997 designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, or FTO.
On Monday, it was reported the Biden administration notified Congress of its intent to sell $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel.
Progressive Democrats have expressed concerns about the sale, which Congress was notified of on May 5, three sources told the Washington Post.
Source: Newmax
