Alan Dershowitz said Saturday that a vote by more than 100 House Democrats against continued military aid to Israel reflects growing political pressure within the Democratic Party to oppose the U.S. ally.
Speaking on Newsmax TV's "Saturday Report," the Harvard Law School professor emeritus criticized lawmakers he described as traditionally supportive of Israel for backing the measure.
"It's worse because it shows that mainstream people who are generally pro-Israel ... voted against Israel in this resolution," Dershowitz said, specifically naming Reps. Jake Auchincloss of Massachusetts and Jamie Raskin of Maryland.
Dershowitz said he expected progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other members of the so-called "Squad," to oppose military aid to Israel. But he argued that votes by more moderate Democrats demonstrated increasing pressure within the party.
He also criticized House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., saying that while Jeffries voted against the resolution, he allowed members to vote as they chose rather than actively urging them to oppose it.
"Basically giving Democrats like Raskin and Auchincloss and others permission to vote against Israel," Dershowitz said.
Dershowitz argued that U.S. military assistance to Israel also benefits the United States because much of the funding supports American defense manufacturers and workers.
"What people don't realize, the vote against Israel is a vote against America," he said. "This aid that goes to Israel comes back to America."
He said the funding helps support American jobs in defense production and joint U.S.-Israeli projects, including the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Dershowitz also highlighted the bipartisan nature of support for Israel, noting that only one Republican joined Democrats in opposing the aid package.
He said the vote reinforced his decision to leave the Democratic Party after decades of affiliation.
"It explains why somebody like me, I've been a Democrat since I'm 14, is now left the Democratic Party," Dershowitz said.
Dershowitz said he plans to support Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections because he does not want lawmakers who opposed the aid package to gain committee chairmanships if Democrats regain control of the House.
"I don't want any of these people who voted against Israel and voted against America to be in positions of chairmanships," he said.
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