In a surprising move, President Biden announced a pause on some military aid to Israel, aimed at deterring an offensive against Hamas-held Rafah.
The decision was met with a mixed response from New York City Democrats, with some members of the left-wing "Squad" of House members openly celebrating, while others remained conspicuously silent.
Bronx and Westchester Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a vocal supporter of anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University and elsewhere, took to Twitter to express his approval. "Protesting is working. Keep fighting for a #CeasefireNow," he tweeted.
Similarly, Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez celebrated Biden's decision, stating on X, "Biden has not 'lost his mind.' He is upholding the word of the U.S." This came after Biden confirmed that the U.S. is withholding shipments of 2,000-pound precision bombs and considering a pause on artillery shells.
Ocasio-Cortez further argued against the need for an offensive on Hamas' final major stronghold in the Gaza Strip. "There are 1.3 million people in Rafah. You do not need to slaughter them to go after Hamas. Biden stated the U.S. red line was Rafah. It would make us weaker [and] the world less safe to let [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], or anyone, cross it," she wrote.
Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velazquez echoed these sentiments, posting on X, "An invasion of Rafah would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and endanger the lives of the over 1 million Palestinians that have sought refuge there. [Biden] is right to make this decision."
However, not all New York City Democrats were in agreement. South Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres was one of the few dissenters in the Gotham delegation. "As the leader of the free world, America cannot claim that its commitment to Israel is 'iron-clad' and then proceed to withhold aid from Israel," Torres wrote. "The mixed messaging makes a mockery of our credibility as an ally. No one will take our word seriously."
Nassau County and Queens Rep. Tom Suozzi issued a more equivocal statement on X, urging the Biden Administration to resolve any differences with Israel regarding arms shipments immediately.
New York City, home to the largest Jewish population in the world, has some of the most influential House members. However, those with the most clout, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), were publicly silent.
Democratic Reps. Dan Goldman and Jerry Nadler, who serve parts of Lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn, and upper Manhattan respectively, hadn't posted anything on social media or their official websites as of midday Thursday. Their spokesmen did not respond to emails seeking comment.
A Democratic source told The Post that many members of Congress were waiting for formal intelligence briefings before staking out a position. However, some pro-Israel Democratic insiders bristled at what they viewed as insufficient pushback against Biden's position.
Staten Island Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, New York City's sole Republican member of Congress, denounced Biden's pivot. "In an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote, Congress authorized sending aid to our dear ally Israel, and it's not up to President Biden under what conditions that aid is sent," Malliotakis said in a statement. "He needs to stop playing politics and appeasing the radicals in his party who are siding with Iran and Hamas."
Long Island Republican Reps. Anthony DEsposito, Andrew Garbarino, and Nick LaLota also criticized Biden, as did Republican Mike Lawler, whose district includes part of the Hudson Valley. They accused Biden of emboldening Hamas, undermining Israel, and betraying his previous commitments of support for Israel.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who has advocated heavy U.S. military aid to Israel while also sharply criticizing Netanyahu, did not immediately comment, nor did Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
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