Israeli forces have destroyed 130 entrances to Hamas’ terrorist tunnels since the war began on Oct. 7, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The destruction of these tunnels has been a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, freshman Rep. Maxwell Frost from Florida’s 10th Congressional District has publicly acknowledged his mistake in voting against a resolution condemning support for Hamas on college and university campuses.
In a statement released earlier this week, Rep. Frost expressed regret for his decision and admitted that he should have voted differently on H.Res. 798. This resolution, a symbolic piece of legislation, criticized the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. The resolution passed with an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 396-to-23, with only 22 Democrats, including Frost, and one Republican voting against it.
Frost reflected on his decision, stating that after days of reflection, conversations with constituents, and a listening session with students at UCF Hillel’s chapter, he realized that he should have stood against antisemitism and supported the resolution. The congressman also expressed concerns about “a few falsehoods” in the Republican resolution and his hope to vote on a Senate resolution that condemned antisemitism without those inaccuracies. Frost clarified that his intention was to support and co-sponsor the House version of the Senate resolution, which had unanimous support.
The article reached out to the University of Central Florida’s Hillel branch to gather more information about the students’ conversation with Rep. Frost. It is worth noting that Frost was the sole member of Florida’s House delegation to vote against the resolution. As the first Gen Z member of Congress, Frost’s decision drew attention and criticism. However, it is important to highlight that his district in Orlando is not included in the top 10 Florida Congressional districts with the highest Jewish populations. Nevertheless, Florida is home to the U.S.’s third-largest Jewish population after New York and California.
In 2022, Frost, a progressive, stated that he supports both Israel and Palestine. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has put Democrats in a difficult position, with left-wing hardliners challenging the party’s traditional stance on supporting Israel. This divide within the party has led to public disagreements among its members.
Rep. Maxwell Frost’s admission of his mistake in voting against the resolution condemning support for Hamas on college campuses highlights the complexities and divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the conflict continues, it remains to be seen how these divisions will shape the party’s future stance on the issue.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Digital, specializing in Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. With previous bylines at Daily Mail and CBS News, she provides insightful coverage on political matters. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to [email protected].
