House Democrats hash out Israel divisions at "intense" private meeting

House Democrats grappled privately Tuesday morning with a vote to pare back U.S. aid to Israel in what one senior lawmakers described as an "intense" meeting.

Why it matters: Many lawmakers are caught between substantive concerns about the measure and fear of intense backlash from their base if they oppose it.

"It's so poorly drafted," said one House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to share details of sensitive internal discussions, referencing concerns that, as written, the proposal could choke off not only military aid but diplomatic funding.

The lawmaker alluded to the political pressure Democrats are facing to support any anti-Israel measure, telling Axios: "We know it's crap, but..."

Another House Democrat said "a lot" of the angst around the vote "is driving out of this debate on Israel out of the Democratic Party."

State of play: The debate took place at House Democrats' weekly closed-door caucus meeting on Capitol Hill, according to multiple sources who were present.

It concerned an amendment introduced by isolationist Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to prohibit funds in a State Department appropriations bill from going to Israel.

The amendment has attracted strong support from pro-Palestinian progressives despite concerns from some corners of the party about the impact on military aid and diplomatic funding.

What we're hearing: Members were "sharing different points of view" in the meeting and it was "clear there's a split," said the first House Democrat who spoke to Axios anonymously.

The lawmaker said the "big focus" was on concerns about cutting off non-military aid, but that there was also "discussion about young people and public sentiment" and about Israeli democracy.

"Both sides got expressed. You had different members who are going to vote for it, some against it," the second House Democrat said, adding that there is "clearly division of thought."

What they're saying: Rep. Julie Johnson (D-Texas) pushed back on the characterization of the meeting as "intense," telling Axios that "there's a difference of opinion, it's a controversial issue."

"As you would expect, people have belief structures on both sides and they certainly expressed that, which is what caucus is about," she said. "People were just sharing how they felt."

House Democratic caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said at a press conference that the conversation was "great" and that it's "always helpful" to hear where members are at."

Zoom out: The debate comes as the left has been roiling the party establishment, unseating pro-Israel incumbents in campaigns that have focused heavily on the Middle East.

The losses have rattled pro-Israel, establishment-aligned House Democrats in safe seats, many of whom fear they might be next.

House Democrats are closely watching Tuesday night's primaries in Colorado to see if Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) will be the next victim of this trend, Axios reported on Monday.

Between the lines: Some members have been urging leadership to weigh in on the measure, but they have thus far maintained strategic silence on the matter.

A Democratic leadership source told Axios that they were in listening mode during the discussion Tuesday morning and did not tip their hand.

Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Greg Casar (D-Texas) came out for the measure on Monday, saying that while he would "prefer to vote on an amendment that stripped just military funding, I think opposing the billions in military funding is what's most important here."