Israel’s war with Hamas, now in its sixth week, consumed Washington in the final days before lawmakers headed home for the Thanksgiving recess.
Tens of thousands descended upon the nation’s capital on Tuesday for the March for Israel, organized to show solidarity with the Jewish state and call for the release of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas in its Oct. 7 terrorist attack. The event drew members of Congress from both parties and chambers, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
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The same day, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) led a failed effort on the Senate floor to pass billions in aid for Israel, a controversial measure given its dollar-for-dollar cuts to the IRS.
Support for Israel has not been uniform in Congress — a group of progressives have called for a ceasefire as the death toll mounts in Gaza.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) led a press conference on Monday with rabbis associated with the progressive Jewish Voices for Peace to call for a pause in the conflict. The House censured Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, the week before for her inflammatory rhetoric on Israel, including her defense of the slogan “From the river to the sea.”
The Democratic Party has been under increasing pressure to call for a humanitarian pause as Israel launches airstrikes and ground operations to root out Hamas.
That pressure turned violent on Wednesday as pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. House Democratic leadership, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), had to be escorted out of the building for their safety.
Amid the chaos, the Senate passed a short-term bill to avoid a government shutdown on Wednesday, while Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray testified before the House earlier in the day.
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Here’s a look at scenes from the week of Nov. 13 captured by Washington Examiner photographer Graeme Jennings.
Tens of thousands attend March for Israel in Washington
Schumer departs a news conference before speaking at the March for Israel
Tlaib calls for a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas
Johnson holds a ceremonial swearing-in for newly elected Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI)
Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) hold a border security press conference
Mayorkas and Wray attend a House hearing on “Worldwide Threats”
