Jeffries calls for 'dramatic change' in U.S. military aid to Israel after Democrats' midterm win

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday called for "dramatic change" in America's approach to Israel, including the U.S.-Israel military aid agreement, nine days after Democrats won the House in the midterm elections, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Asked at a press briefing in Washington whether he backs a push by Sen. Chris Van Hollen and 11 other senators to strip provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act that would deepen U.S.-Israel defense and intelligence cooperation, Jeffries did not endorse it outright.

"I haven't had a conversation with Senator Van Hollen, but what I have said is that things have to dramatically change over in the Middle East," Jeffries said. "We need dramatic change in the West Bank, which is why I strongly support the West Bank Violence Protection Act. We need dramatic change in Gaza, and we need dramatic change with respect to the Memorandum of Understanding as it winds down."

The current Memorandum of Understanding gives Israel $38 billion in military assistance over 10 years and expires in 2028. "The status quo is unacceptable," Jeffries said, adding that he backs an independent Palestinian state.

Jeffries also said House Democrats will oppose "any additional money" for the Iran war and will "do everything we can to end it." He would not say whether Democrats would use the Dec. 11 government funding deadline to force the issue.