Analysis. A recent Israel-related vote in the U.S. House of Representatives was largely good news for the special bond between our two nations. But there are warning signs too.

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The good news is that more than 400 members of Congress openly supported a resolution standing with Israel as it celebrates 75 years as an independent state in the modern era. That nearly all representatives would publicly embrace Israel in a recorded vote is a powerful testament.

Of particular note, the bipartisan resolution (H.Res.311), authored by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., vice chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expresses support for ongoing security aid to Israel, encourages deepening cooperation between our nations, and pushes for the “robust involvement” of our democratic ally in international bodies (such as the UN, presumably). It also urges expansion of the Trump administration’s Abraham Accords, which have led longtime Middle East enemies to improve their relations with Israel and have bolstered security and economic benefits in the region.

“My resolution honors the decades-long partnership between the United States and Israel that underpins security in the Middle East and promotes economic growth throughout the region,” said Wagner. “The bipartisan passage of this resolution reaffirms our commitment to the people of Israel and promotes vital security assistance so they can defend themselves in the face of an increasingly aggressive Iran.”

Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., Wagner’s chief Democrat partner on the resolution, also lauded the “extraordinary and enduring alliance” between Washington and Jerusalem in her comments following the House vote. She particularly highlighted productive partnerships on technology, security, and advancing democratic values. But she also included a line that signals a point of tension between the parties.

“As a proud, lifelong supporter of a strong, bipartisan U.S.–Israel relationship, I also support a two-state solution which preserves Israel’s fundamental character as a Jewish, democratic state,” she said.

That’s a notable statement, because the resolution says nothing about a “two-state solution” to encourage peace between Israelis and Palestinians. And the fact that this resolution says nothing about that is a new and significant departure from previous resolutions of support. For example, just five years ago the House welcomed the 70th anniversary of Israel with legislation expressing “support for a negotiated settlement leading to a sustainable two-state solution with the democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a demilitarized, democratic Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and security.”

So striking was this to Democrats, that Manning and some others who voted for the resolution joined Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a separate statement calling out the absence of two-state language.

“Congress has regularly expressed bipartisan understanding that meaningful long-term security for Israelis and Palestinians requires that each people recognize the legitimacy of the other, and each realize their individual human rights and collective right to self-determination,” they stated.

It is notable, too, that this most recent resolution does not oppose Israel’s pursuing a two-state conversation with Palestinian leaders, if it chooses. But clearly, its silence on the “negotiated, sustainable two-state solution” that many Democrats want rankles them. And that is a political fault line to be mindful of in the years ahead.

But more concerning is that the resolution vote accentuates that the far left, influential in Democrat Party politics, has a growing Israel problem. Though the 2018 resolution I note above sailed through the House on a voice vote, this time 18 Democrats (and one Republican: Rep. Thomas Massie (of Kentucky) openly refused to express such solidarity with Israel.

All but one of the Democratic no votes came from the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and they included Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Ilhan Omar (Minnesota), Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts), and Rashida Tlaib (Michigan). Another is notably Rep. Jamaal Bowman (New York) who previously supported Iron Dome funding and visited Israel — decisions that IFA readers may remember incited wrath among his allies in the Democratic Socialists of America. Threats to pull support from him “unless he is able to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine in alignment with expectations we have set” seem to have had an effect on him.

We should praise God for the continued bipartisan commitment to solidarity with Israel. But let’s also be prayerfully aware of fractures that are threatening that resolve. May our leaders stand steadfast and united by Israel’s side.

Share your prayers for continued support of Israel and God’s chosen people below.

Aaron Mercer is a contributing writer with two decades of experience in the Washington, D.C., public-policy arena. Photo Credit: Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash.