Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri has become a devoted supporter of Israel, aligning himself with pro-Israel interests despite the devastating toll of Israeli military actions on Palestinians. Having received $93,199 from AIPAC, Cleaver’s voting record reflects a clear willingness to prioritize these contributions over the welfare of the Palestinian people. He has consistently backed legislation that supports Israel’s military, including a $41 billion aid package in the midst of what The Lancet projects could result in the deaths of 180,000 Gazans as Israel carries out a genocidal campaign. Cleaver’s financial ties to AIPAC appear to fuel his pro-Israel stance, disregarding the massive civilian death toll and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure.
In April 2024, Cleaver attempted to justify his vote to send billions to Israel. He stated, “As we learned so painfully nearly a century ago, you cannot appease dictators seeking to expand their despotism and destroy liberty.” This comment dangerously conflates Israel’s military actions—which have resulted in widespread destruction of civilian areas in Gaza, including hospitals, schools, and refugee camps—with a defense of liberty. Cleaver’s rhetoric obscures the reality on the ground, where Israel’s actions have led to indiscriminate bombings and collective punishment of Palestinians.
Cleaver’s support for Israel extends beyond financial aid. His praise for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a convicted war criminal responsible for overseeing these atrocities, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the Israeli government’s actions. Though Cleaver did not attend Netanyahu’s address to Congress in July 2024 due to illness, he affirmed his backing of the leader, stating, “I had planned to attend today’s speech by the leader of one of America’s oldest allies.” Cleaver’s refusal to condemn Israel’s war crimes, combined with his voting record—failing to support ceasefire resolutions or investigations into the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh—shows a politician more aligned with AIPAC’s interests than with human rights or justice for Palestinians.
Related Links
Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential, The Lancet, July 2024
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
Rep. Cleaver Supports Package of Security Assistance Bills, Emanuel Cleaver Gov., April 2024
Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Address to Joint Session of Congress, Emanuel Cleaver Gov., July 2024
