Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) has been facing criticism from many members of the Maryland Jewish community in the weeks since her vote on July 30 in support of two Senate resolutions that would have blocked sales of 1,000-pound bombs and automatic rifles to Israel.
Alsobrooks joined Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a growing list of Senate Democrats who are voting against arms sales to Israel in light of the growing humanitarian and hunger crisis unfolding on the ground in Gaza.
The criticism comes as Alsobrooks had made several promises during her campaign to support Israel and had voted in April to allow arms sales to continue.
“There are moments in history where our silence will not only be remembered — it will be judged. Tonight, as the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Gaza, I voted to support two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block the sale of arms to Israel. I joined the voices of so many who feel the moral imperative to demand change. To witness the inhumanity of starving children and say nothing is not just a dereliction of duty but of conscience,” Alsobrooks wrote in a statement following her vote.
Over the past several months, images of hunger from across the Gaza Strip have become increasingly widespread, notably during an 11-week Israeli blockade of aid to the region where nearly 90% of the people have been displaced since the war began.
A recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, using data up to July 25, showed that the escalating conflict, displacement and an “unprecedented collapse” in access to food and essential services were creating the “worst-case scenario of famine” in Gaza. The Israeli government denies a policy of starvation in Gaza, and recent reporting raised questions over the data and shifting famine classifications used by the IPC. Since the blockade was loosened on May 26, some aid has resumed entry into the territory, with the Israel Defense Forces announcing daily humanitarian pauses for aid distribution and allowing airdrops of aid from several countries in Europe and the Middle East.
But the aid distribution, notably with the American led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has faced international criticism over safety.
Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while trying to get aid, according to the U.N. Human Rights Office. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots and the GHF said that the U.N. statstics were “false and exaggerated,” according to NPR.
In her statement, Alsobrooks said that the Israeli government must change course and added that she remains committed to the U.S.-Israel relationship and affirms that right of Israel to defend itself.
“In this moment, we must all do everything in our power as a global community to get desperately needed aid to the people of Gaza. And the task before us all is to work towards a permanent cease-fire, a return of the hostages to their families, and a durable peace in the region,” Alsobrooks wrote.
Alsobrooks’ vote received praise from the Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which applauded her for joining Van Hollen in “advocating for justice,” according to a press release.
“This is a direct testimony to the many community members who have been calling and emailing her office urging her to break her silence and stand on the right side of history. This vote is only the first step — we demand the full, unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. We demand an end to its illegal siege. We cannot rest until Palestine is free and justice is served,” wrote Zainab Chaudry, the director of CAIR Maryland.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a Jewish member of Congress who represents District 8, has also taken steps to note his opposition to Israel’s actions relative to Gaza.
Recently, Raskin co-sponsored the “Block the Bombs” act in the House, which would block the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel. Last year, Raskin voted against sending additional emergency aid to Israel.
Several members of the Maryland Jewish community had mixed feelings about Alsobrooks changing her vote on arms sales, as they felt a move to block these arms sales did more harm than good.
Agudath Israel of Maryland posted a statement after the vote encouraging its supporters to contact Alsobrooks and urge her to reconsider her vote.
“In a meeting with leaders of our community a couple of months ago, Senator Angela Alsobrooks emphatically assured us that she would be a pro-Israel voice and vote in Congress. Yet, she has now begun echoing the anti-Israel rhetoric we have come to hear from the ‘usual suspects,’ culminating in her vote in support of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ failed resolution to suspend weapons sales to Israel,” Agudath Israel of Maryland wrote.
Ron Halber, the CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said he spoke with Alsobrooks after her vote against the arms sales and feels confident that she will remain a strong supporter of Israel in the future.
Halber told Washington Jewish Week that he thought Alsobrooks was influenced by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the photos that were coming out of the region, based on her campaign comments supporting Israel and her prior vote to continue arms sales.
“She was using the two methods at her disposal as a legislator to express her opinion in a moral outrage at the humanitarian situation. One was a statement, and two was her vote,” Halber said. “It was clear for me that she was trying to send a message. I don’t believe that this is a precursor to a fundamental shift on support for Israel.”
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