SCOOP: Rep. Adam Smith forewarned Israeli 'connections' ahead of vote against US funding
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) told JNS exclusively on Friday that he forewarned his "connections" in Israel before he joined 102 Democrats who voted for an amendment that would cut $3.3 billion in assistance to Israel.…
Assessment
The vote to cut $3.3 billion in Israeli assistance signals a significant shift in Democratic support for Israel, with Smith's claim of forewarning Israeli connections suggesting he sought to manage diplomatic fallout. His denial of pressure from anti-Israel protesters, despite admitting harassment, raises questions about the true motivations behind the amendment. The next step is to see whether other lawmakers follow suit and how Israeli officials respond to such forewarnings.