Reporter's Notebook: The Republican-led vote that revealed Democrats' new divide on Israel

Things sometimes evolve slowly in politics.There’s a perception, axiom or maxim which is agreed upon in politics.

But over time, it changes.Sometimes the change is subterranean.The tectonic political plates move.

But no one is quite aware of what’s happening until one event crystallizes the shift.Such is the case with support in the Democratic Party for Israel.HOUSE DEMOCRATS FRACTURE BADLY OVER MASSIE AMENDMENT TO CUT $3.3B IN U.S.AID TO ISRAELThe politics of supporting Israel have moved for several years now.

Especially after Israel’s response to the deadly attacks by Hamas and pro-Palestinian groups on October 7, 2023.But then there’s that one moment which seems to change everything.A marcher carries a large Israeli flag while wearing a blue Yeshiva Derech HaTorah shirt and walking up Fifth Avenue with fellow marchers at the Israel Day on Fifth parade in New York.(SAL MEDIA)That was certainly on display in the House of Representatives during a single roll call vote last week.Rep.

Thomas Massie, R-Ky., engineered an amendment to a State Department funding bill to cut off $3 billion in aid to Israel.Some Democrats viewed this as a political effort to cleave the party.Whether it was political or not remains to be seen.

But Massie’s amendment split Democrats nearly down the middle.The House defeated Massie’s effort, 314 to 104.Massie was the only Republican who voted in favor of slashing aid to Israel.

But 103 Democrats joined Massie to also suspend the assistance.Ten Democrats voted "present," only 98 Democrats voted to reject Massie’s effort.The Democratic divide over Israel has widened for a while now.

It used to be rare to have more than a few Democrats who wouldn’t stand beside Israel.But that House roll call vote truly underscored where the party is now.

It exposed deepening internal fissures."This is an important moment because nothing will be the same on this issue ever again," observed Rep.Greg Casar, D-Texas, chair of the House Prog...