<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Progressives expressed discontent on Tuesday after House Democrats appointed Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), a Jewish Democrat known for his support of Israel, to a significant foreign affairs position that could influence Democratic Middle East policy.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Moskowitz was designated as the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa. Should Democrats regain control of the House in November, he would be in line to chair the committee, which oversees legislation related to Israel and the broader region.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“At a moment of enormous change across the region, I’ll work to strengthen America’s relationships with Israel and our Gulf allies, expand regional peace, advance American diplomacy, and ensure our foreign policy is grounded in strength, security, and reality,” Moskowitz stated on X. “I’m ready to get to work.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Progressives viewed the appointment as a setback for the Democratic Party’s increasingly vocal anti-Israel faction, which has advocated for a shift away from traditional support for Israel.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“WTF is wrong with the Dem leadership???” Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin posted on X in response to the appointment. “They know their base wants to CUT TIES with Israel, so they make the most Zionist @RepMoskowitz the new ranking member for the Middle East? They are tone deaf and so corrupt. Still wedded to AIPAC/Israel. It’s sickening.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The criticism targeted Moskowitz, who has become a focal point for progressives due to his strong defense of Israel.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The backlash followed a recent attempt by the Democratic Socialists of America to unseat Moskowitz in a primary, which received support from socialist influencer Hasan Piker, who faced accusations of antisemitism for his comments regarding American Jews and Israel.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Track AIPAC labeled Moskowitz's appointment a “giant middle finger to the base” of the Democratic Party.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Others echoed similar sentiments, questioning the decision to appoint Moskowitz to such a prominent role.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The criticism extended to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), with some progressives suggesting that his choice of Moskowitz was a strategic move to counter the party’s anti-Israel faction.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Hakeem Jeffries just ratf***ed every single democratic voter with a diet MAGA pro-war pro-Israel ‘Ron DeSantis democrat’ to lead on foreign policy,” Kyle Kulinski, a progressive influencer, stated on X. “HE NEEDS TO RESIGN.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Georgia Democratic state Rep. Ruwa Romman questioned whether Moskowitz’s appointment was part of an agreement between Jeffries and Jared Kushner regarding potential collaboration with the Trump administration.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The backlash highlighted the growing divide within the Democratic Party over Israel, as progressive activists increasingly call for a reevaluation of the party’s longstanding support for the Jewish state. If Democrats regain control of the House in November, this division may become more pronounced, with Moskowitz positioned to play a key role in shaping U.S. policy toward Israel and the Middle East.</p>