CAIR Calls House Democrats’ Appointment of Israel’s ‘Most Committed Enablers’ to Foreign Affairs Committee an Insult to Voters and Desperate Attempt to Shield Israel from Accountability

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed deep concern over the appointment of Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Wesley Bell and Debbie Wasserman Schultz to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, calling the appointments of some of Israel’s “most committed enablers” an insult to voters and a desperate attempt to shield Israel from accountability for its genocide in Gaza.

The three House Democrats, among the most consistent supporters of continued U.S. funding for the Israeli government, were given positions on the committee Tuesday, withMoskowitz appointed ranking memberof the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee. Moskowitz told Axios that he would use the position to help steer U.S. policy on Israel.

In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:

“We are deeply concerned by the appointment of three of the Israeli government’s most committed and consistent enablers to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Jared Moskowitz supports unconditional funding for the Netanyahu government despite its genocide in Gaza andhe was one of the few House Democrats who initially expressed oppositionto the war powers resolution demanding an end to President Trump’s war on Iran before changing course at the last minute. Giving Rep. Moskowitz oversight of Middle East policy in the House is an insult to American voters and a desperate attempt to shield the Israeli government from accountability.

“So is appointing Rep. Wesley Bell and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz—both of whom support continued funding for Israel’s crimes against humanity and both of whom maintain close relationships with the pro-war, Likud-aligned lobby group AIPAC—to other seats on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Members of Congress who want to continue giving the Netanyahu government American taxpayer money knowing it will be used to oppress and kill Palestinian men, women and children are, by definition, anti-Palestinian and out-of-step with the American people.

“Most Americans, and the overwhelming majority of Democrats, want to end U.S. military aid for the Israeli government in the wake of its genocide in Gaza. Elevating these vocal supporters of funding the Israeli government’s ongoing crimes to the House Foreign Affairs Committee indicates that key House leaders intend to openly defy the will of the American people, including Democrats. These decisions must not stand. The American people must demand that members of Congress start reflecting their wishes, not the wishes of AIPAC or Benjamin Netanyahu’s racist government.”  

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