Angus King Urges Action – Calls for Freeze on U.S. Aid to Israel

In a major break from U.S. foreign policy consensus, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) on Monday called for a full suspension of American aid to Israel. The move comes in response to what he describes as a “deliberately-induced famine” and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza that the Israeli government has failed to address.

King, who caucuses with Senate Democrats and sits on both the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, said the current Israeli strategy in Gaza has crossed a moral line.

“I Cannot Defend the Indefensible”

King acknowledged Israel’s right to respond to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attacks that killed and abducted Israeli civilians, but said the continued siege and blockade of Gaza have created a crisis that can no longer be justified.

“Israel’s actions in the conduct of the war in Gaza, especially its failure to address the unimaginable humanitarian crisis now unfolding, is an affront to human decency,” King said in a strongly worded statement. He criticized the Israeli military approach as not just disproportionate, but actively contributing to the starvation of children and civilians.

Hard Line Stance

King is now one of the first U.S. senators to explicitly call for a total freeze on all U.S. assistance to Israel. While some Democratic senators earlier this year expressed openness to pausing specific military aid or imposing stricter conditions, King has gone a step further.

He pledged to withhold support until Israeli policy shifts in a meaningful way: “No aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.”

The senator’s “litmus test” is clear and uncompromising—ending U.S. support unless visible humanitarian improvements are made on the ground in Gaza.

Divided Maine Delegation

King’s declaration puts him at odds with fellow Maine Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. Collins continues to support Israel’s military campaign and has shown no indication of reconsidering the nearly four billion dollars in annual U.S. aid that Israel receives.

Second District Congressman Jared Golden, a Democrat, also supports continued aid. In contrast, First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree has criticized Israeli actions more openly but has stopped short of calling for a funding freeze.

A Growing Democratic Divide

King joins a growing number of Democrats, including Senators Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Peter Welch of Vermont, who have raised concerns about Israel’s handling of the war. So far, 45 Senate Democrats have backed a resolution calling for an end to the siege on Gaza, but King’s full aid freeze proposal sets a new bar for criticism.

As a member of both the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, King’s stance could carry weight in closed-door discussions about military and diplomatic priorities. It may also embolden other lawmakers to adopt a tougher stance as images of suffering in Gaza continue to capture global attention.

U.S. Aid and the Humanitarian Cost

The United States provides Israel with nearly $4 billion annually, largely in the form of military sales and security cooperation. Critics of current U.S. policy argue that continued aid effectively greenlights actions that are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

With famine conditions worsening and international aid severely restricted, calls for accountability are increasing in volume and scope. King’s statement adds fuel to a growing debate over how the U.S. should engage with its closest Middle Eastern ally moving forward.

FAQs