CAIR-NJ Commends New Jersey Members of Congress Who Voted to End $3.3 Billion for Israeli Military’s Crimes, Calls Other Members “Complicit in Genocide”
(NEWARK, NJ – 7/16/2026) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today commended Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Analilia Mejia for voting to oppose $3.3 billion in new funding for the Israeli government and strongly condemned the votes by the remaining nine members of the state’s congressional delegation to maintain the funding.
Those voting to maintain the funding were Representatives Frank Pallone, Donald Norcross, Herb Conaway, Christopher Smith, Thomas Kean, Jr., Jeff Van Drew, Josh Gottheimer, Robert Menendez, and Nellie Pou. The House of Representatives ultimately failed to pass Amendment No. 8 to H.R. 8595, offered by Rep. Thomas Massie, in a 104-314 vote. However, a record number of members voted against the funding, including a majority of Democrats.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“We commend Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Analilia Mejia for voting to stop the waste of American taxpayer dollars on the Israeli government’s crimes and we strongly condemn the 9 members of our state’s congressional delegation who voted to continue our nation’s complicity in genocide.
“Although today’s vote to end $3.3 billion in taxpayer funding for the Israeli apartheid government did not pass, more members of Congress than ever before—including a majority of Democrats—voted to stop enabling Israeli war crimes that have killed tens of thousands of innocent people, many of them children, and caused a severe humanitarian catastrophe.
“Lawmakers are gradually catching up to the American public, which does not want elected officials to spend their taxpayer dollars on killing children and families across the Middle East. Americans across the political spectrum have engaged their representatives and demanded support for advancing American interests and values, not the whims of the Israeli government.
“The movement for justice must continue until U.S. policy reflects the principles of human rights, equal protection under the law, and respect for international humanitarian rights for all, including the Palestinian people.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Public Affairs Director Naureen Akhter, nakhter@cair.com, 908-921-1238
