Two US Democratic candidates back proposal to cut military aid to Israel

The political debate within the United States over American military aid to Israel has intensified amid the war in Gaza. Democratic candidates Troy Jackson and Matt Dunlap, who are contesting US Congress elections, have backed a proposal to reduce military aid to Israel.

Jackson has sharply criticised Israel's actions in Gaza and accused it of "genocide". He has also said clearly that he is not willing to vote to give Israel more bombs or military aid. His stand has again brought into the open the long-running division within the Democratic Party over military aid to Israel.

Jackson has openly objected to additional US military aid to Israel. He says that sending more weapons for the war with American taxpayers' money cannot be supported. In his view, given the condition of ordinary people in Gaza, the US should rethink its military aid policy.

Jackson has also made serious allegations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a "war criminal". In doing so, he cited allegations raised internationally over Israel's military action in Gaza. His stand has made Jackson's role in the political discussion on Israel in the US more prominent.

The question is not limited to these two candidates. Some other Democratic Party leaders are also questioning US military aid to Israel. Some lawmakers have backed reducing the aid or attaching conditions to it. Other leaders, on the other hand, favour maintaining defence cooperation between the US and Israel. The tussle within the party over the Gaza war, military aid to Israel and US foreign policy is thus becoming clearer.