Maxine Waters
Waters introduced the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act, saying "the children of Gaza deserve three meals a day." She signed a January 2024 letter pressing the administration for bypassing Congress on emergency weapons sales to Israel.
On February 12, 2026, Waters introduced H.R. 7565, the Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act, to expand U.S. food assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. She said: "The children of Gaza deserve three meals a day to begin to recover from the war and to grow up healthy and strong," and "More than three-quarters of the people of Gaza are facing acute hunger and malnutrition, and this is clearly unacceptable."
On weapons: on January 29, 2024 she co-signed the McGovern-Warren bicameral letter pressing the Biden administration over bypassing Congress to approve emergency sales of 155mm artillery shells to Israel and asking how civilian-harm risks were evaluated. In March 2024 she reportedly co-signed a Castro-led letter raising concerns over the planned Rafah operation and the lack of a civilian protection plan. On June 26, 2026 she co-signed a Vasquez-led letter to Secretary Rubio urging enforcement of existing laws to halt arms transfers to entities engaged in non-compliant uses or indiscriminate destruction of civilian property in occupied territories.
After October 7, 2023, she condemned the attack as an appalling terrorist attack by Hamas against the people of Israel, affirmed Israel's right to self-defense, demanded the hostages' return, and urged humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians cut off from electricity, water, and food. On November 3, 2023 she called for an immediate ceasefire, saying the bloodshed must stop, and described herself as a supporter of Israel who believes humanitarian advocacy for civilians in both Israel and Gaza is compatible with being pro-Israel.
Tracked votes: opposed sending U.S. weapons or funding to the government of Israel in 5 of 6 recorded votes.
Research
Searched 2026-08-10 for: Waters Israel Gaza statement military aid ceasefire; Waters weapons/military aid Israel letter; Waters Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act). Recorded key votes are badges.
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- 2024-01-29 [Current position; multi-signer letter]: Co-signed McGovern-Warren bicameral letter pressing the administration over bypassing Congress to approve emergency weapons sales to Israel (155mm artillery shells) and asking how the State Department evaluated civilian-harm risks under conventional arms transfer policy. Warren release.
- 2024-03-05 [Current position; multi-signer letter; SIGNER UNCONFIRMED: the source PDF's metadata does not name Waters]: Castro-led letter to President Biden on Israel's planned Rafah operation and the absence of a credible civilian protection plan. Letter PDF.
- 2026-06-26 [Current position; multi-signer letter]: Vasquez-led letter to Secretary Rubio urging enforcement of existing federal laws to halt arms transfers to entities engaging in non-compliant uses or indiscriminate destruction of private civilian property in occupied territories. Letter PDF. Note: the file is named "lebanon-letter"; scope may be Lebanon-focused rather than Israel arms generally.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- 2026-02-12 introduced, release 2026-02-13 [Current position; verified against source]: H.R. 7565, Food for Palestinian Children and Families in Gaza Act of 2026. Verified quotes: "The children of Gaza deserve three meals a day to begin to recover from the war and to grow up healthy and strong."; "More than three-quarters of the people of Gaza are facing acute hunger and malnutrition, and this is clearly unacceptable."; "Children and families in Gaza deserve better."; "The children and families of Gaza have been devastated by the war, and the food assistance being provided is far from sufficient." Release; tracked by A New Policy legislative tracker (published 2026-04-13).
Characterization of the conflict
- 2023-10-11 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Condemned the "appalling terrorist attack carried out by Hamas against the people of Israel"; affirmed Israel's right to self-defense; demanded return of all hostages; urged U.S. facilitation of humanitarian assistance for Palestinian civilians cut off from electricity, water, and food. Newsletter archive.
- 2023-11-03 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Called for an immediate ceasefire; acknowledged 1,400 Israelis killed on October 7 and over 10,000 Palestinian deaths; "the bloodshed must stop" (fragment, not independently verified); urged hostage negotiations and a halt to attacks by both sides. Release.
Rhetoric and lobbying
- 2023-11-03 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Described herself as a supporter of Israel who signed a congressional resolution supporting the nation; said humanitarian advocacy for civilians in both Israel and Gaza is compatible with being pro-Israel. Release.
- No standalone commentary on pro-Israel lobbying groups or PACs found. [Nothing found]
Safety and antisemitism (context, not a weapons or funding position)
- 2023-10-11 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Condemned the Hamas terror attacks; prioritized safety and return of all hostages including American citizens. Newsletter archive.
- No standalone statements on domestic antisemitism or campus safety found. [Nothing found]
Also in this race: Cristian Morales (Republican) · All California candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.