Top Dem Jeffries says judicial overhaul should not harm US military aid to Israel

House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries says in Jerusalem that the US must not let the fate of the judicial reform affect military support for Israel.

Speaking to Israeli journalists, the Democrat speaks of “the need to make sure that we maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge, that it will still be with us regardless of where Israel lands in terms of the judicial reform effort.”

He also indicates that both countries share similar challenges regarding their democracies.

“The ties that bind us together in the context of democracy are powerful ones,” says Jeffries. “It is important during a time at which both of our countries are facing concerns that the fabric of our democracies are being undermined, that we both emerge from this period of time with democracy strengthened, not weakened.”

He adds that the protests are “a sign of a vibrant democracy.”

Jeffries also says there is no danger of his party turning away from Israel.

“The Democratic Party in the House of Representatives will continue to stand with Israel in lifting up the special relationship between our two countries and in support of Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people and as a Jewish democratic state. Period. Full stop.

The Brooklyn lawmaker also says that his party will “continue to stand
behind that ironclad commitment to provide for Israel’s safety and security.”