Rep. Adam Smith Says He Was Threatened By Anti-Israel Activists Ahead of Vote

Representative Adam Smith (D-WA), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, revealed that he and his family experienced an "unrelenting campaign of intimidation" from anti-Israel activists, including vandalism, arson, and an assault on a staff member. This pressure led him to reverse his stance and vote in favor of an amendment to strip Israel of $3.3 billion in military aid from the fiscal year 2027 State Department appropriations bill. Smith stated, "To date, my family and I have had our home vandalized, a fire has been set in my driveway, my neighbors’ lives have been disrupted by demonstrations in the middle of the night, town halls meant to be forums for dialogue have been shut down, and a staff member has been physically assaulted." While criticizing Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank as "indefensible," he distinguished his views from those seeking Israel's elimination. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), ultimately failed by a vote of 104-314.