THE HOUSE VOTED on Wednesday to block the U.S. from funding the reconstruction of Gaza, whose destruction was financed by the U.S. to a large degree.

The U.S. has sent $12.5 billion to Israel just this year, with the annual $3.8 billion supplemented by another $8.7 billion that was approved in April. Israel’s assault on Gaza has reportedly destroyed more than half the buildings in the besieged enclave, displaced some 1.7 million Palestinians, and killed more than 37,000 people.

“They are absolutely at war with one of our major and best allies anywhere across the globe,” said Mast on the House floor before the vote about Gaza as a whole, not specifying Hamas. The Florida Republican, a former volunteer in the Israeli military who has repeatedly made incendiary, anti-Palestinian comments since October 7, said it is “nonsensical” to suggest rebuilding the place that’s been razed by Israeli and American bombs for eight months.

The House advancing anti-Palestinian amendments into legislation at this stage reaffirms that many in Congress do not value the lives of their Palestinian constituents,” said Mohammed Khader, a policy manager at U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action. “Blocking funds to rebuild Gaza while actively providing taxpayer dollars, weapons, and intelligence to destroy Gaza and Palestinian society reaffirms that lawmakers intend for the U.S. to be an active participant in Israel’s atrocities.”Other Republicans filed amendments combating the movement to boycott, divest, or sanction Israel for its illegal occupation of Palestine.