US Democrats urge debate on US-Israel ties before advancing military legislation

A group of US lawmakers in Congress have reportedly been urging fellow Democrats to block new military spending legislation until the Senate debates proposals which would strengthen ties with Israel. 

Reuters reported that it has seen a letter from the group led by Democratic Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen, which states: “As Senate Democrats, we should not be providing votes compelling [Trump] to deepen the US relationship with Netanyahu’s extremist government.”

The move highlights a broader shift within the Democratic Party as the ongoing primary midterm elections have exposed the growing division over the party’s stance on Israel, which previously received bipartisan backing.