The recent dustup regarding the US government’s funding of the Iron Dome missile defense system in Israel, revealed growing anti-Semitism in Congress. Progressives within government ranks forced the removal of $1 billion in funding from an emergency spending bill to keep the federal government open. Seizing the opportunity afforded by the emergency spending bill, anti-Israel progressives laid bare their anti-Israel sentiment.
After the Iron Dome funding was removed, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn) tweeted, “Here’s an idea: don’t sell arms to anyone who violates human rights.” But as members of the House Armed Services Committee pointed out in response, “The Iron Dome is a purely defensive system that protects civilians when hundreds of rockets are shot at population centers.”
When anti-Israel sentiment reaches the point of disregard for the protection of tens of thousands of civilians, there is a problem.
The removal of funding for the Iron Dome defense system from the emergency spending bill, forced House Democratic leaders to immediately introduce a stand-alone bill to provide the funding. The measure passed by 420 to 9.
The removal of the Iron Dome Funding angered centrist Democrats and lead Republicans to label the party as anti-Israel. What it revealed is that rising anti-Semitism will become an increasingly difficult problem, particularly on the left. The $1 billion in Iron Dome funding is intended to replace missile interceptors Israel used to ward off rockets fired from Palestinian controlled Gaza during the most recent conflict.
By Pastor Rich Jones
