Democrat Representative Kathy Manning of North Carolina has shown a troubling allegiance to pro-Israel policies, despite their severe implications for Palestinians. Manning has received a significant $552,316 from AIPAC, underscoring the influence of this financial backing on her stance. Her strong support for Israel is evident in her legislative actions and statements, which often prioritize political alliances over humanitarian concerns. Manning’s financial ties appear to have a profound impact on her voting record and policy positions, revealing a disturbing pattern of prioritizing campaign contributions over human life.
Since October 2023, the Israeli military’s bombardment of Gaza has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. With the health infrastructure in Gaza devastated and no accurate way to measure the death toll, the destruction is extensive: more than half of Gaza’s homes are damaged, 80% of commercial facilities are destroyed, and 85% of school buildings are in ruins. Additionally, the destruction includes 65% of road networks, 65% of cropland, and all universities. The aggression extends to the West Bank as well, where over thousands of Palestinians have been killed, villages like Jenin have been bulldozed, and land grabs by Israeli settlers continue. Despite these dire conditions, Manning has repeatedly supported measures that exacerbate the crisis, including voting against the ceasefire resolution and cutting U.S. federal funding to UNRWA, which provides essential humanitarian aid.
In a statement on her government website, Manning asserted, “As Vice Chair of the influential Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am an advocate for maintaining a strong relationship between the United States and Israel.” Further justifying her support for substantial military aid, she stated, “Israel is our strongest, most dependable, and only democratic ally in the region, and Iran and its proxies: Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, continue to seek the destruction of the Jewish state. At this critical moment, the world is watching the United States. We must urgently meet this moment.” Manning’s endorsement of $26.38 billion in aid to Israel, despite its well-documented genocide in Gaza, and her resistance to investigating the killing of U.S. journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, reflect an alignment with pro-Israel agendas that persistently disregards the human cost of these policies. Representative Kathy Manning’s hands are red with the blood of 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. Manning’s Views Foreign Policy & Israel, Kathy Manning Gov., May 2024
Manning Calls for Swift Senate Passage of Supplemental Foreign Aid Packages for Democratic Allies, Kathy Manning Gov., April 2024