The key facts

  • Hakeem Jeffries said 'dramatic changes' are needed in the Middle East, including the West Bank and Gaza
  • He did not confirm support for Chris Van Hollen's proposal to remove provisions deepening cooperation with Israel from the NDAA
  • Van Hollen's call was backed by 11 senators

Jeffries on the Middle East: Change Is Needed, but No Clarity on the Defense Bill

House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said on Thursday that 'dramatic changes' are needed in the Middle East — including in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and in US defense cooperation with Israel. At the same time, he refrained from explicitly supporting a proposal to remove the Israel-related provisions from the forthcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

An Evasive Answer on Van Hollen's Proposal

At a press conference, Jeffries was asked whether he supports Senator Chris Van Hollen's call to remove from the annual defense bill the provisions deepening US defense and intelligence cooperation with Israel. 'I haven't spoken with Senator Van Hollen, but I have said that the situation in the Middle East must change dramatically,' he replied. Jeffries added that he strongly supports the West Bank Violence Protection Act, that changes are needed in Gaza, and also in the memorandum of understanding as it nears completion.

The Democrats' Position and Context

According to Jeffries, Democrats will work as a caucus for a 'just and lasting peace' for Israelis and Palestinians. 'The status quo is unacceptable, dramatic changes are needed. That means, in my view, a safe and secure Israel living side by side as a Jewish and democratic state with an independent Palestinian state that ensures dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people,' he said. His comments came after Van Hollen led a group of 11 senators urging congressional leadership to remove from the forthcoming NDAA the provisions mandating deeper defense and intelligence cooperation with Israel. Thus, different approaches have emerged within the Democratic Party: some senators are pushing to change the text of the defense bill, while the caucus leader in the House limited himself to general rhetoric about change without taking a position on the specific initiative.