But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
Jonathan Jackson
- ✓ Cosponsors the Block the Bombs Act
- Backed with $10K by PACs we track that support U.S. weapons funding for the government of Israel (lifetime)
- ✓ Endorsed by A New Policy PAC
- Sits on House Foreign Affairs
Jackson signed a joint statement against offensive weapons: "If Congress votes to continue to supply offensive military aid, we make ourselves complicit in this tragedy," while supporting Iron Dome. He co-sponsors the Block the Bombs Act.
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You asked Jonathan Jackson where they stand.
Deep Dive
Jackson represents Illinois's 1st District on Chicago's South Side and is running for re-election.
In April 2024 he was one of the signatories of a joint statement explaining votes against H.R. 8034. It draws the line precisely: "Our votes against H.R. 8034 are votes against supplying more offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere. We believe strongly in Israel's right to self-defense." And: "All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel. To protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin."
In June 2025 he co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act, which would withhold transfers of specified offensive weapons unless Israel's government establishes in writing that they are used in accordance with U.S. and international law.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 1 of 6 tracked votes · Cosponsors the Block the Bombs Act
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
How this mark works
We track key votes on sending U.S. weapons and money to the government of Israel. A check means every tracked vote they cast came down against sending more, on the side of peace and de-escalation. A question mark means a mixed record: they sided with sending up to half of the time. An X means they voted to send more weapons and money in over half of their tracked votes, even as the way those weapons and dollars were being used became more and more obvious. At exactly half, money this election cycle from a lobbying group we track, or an endorsement from a group that backs sending weapons, makes it an X. Only votes actually cast are counted. Where a candidate has no recorded votes on these bills, the mark comes instead from a reviewed reading of their public record (money from the lobbying groups we track, endorsements, and their own words since January 26, 2024). There an X also covers fully backing the conduct of the war by the government of Israel without significant reservations, and a question mark also covers speaking about Israel without saying clearly where they stand on U.S. weapons and funding. A dash means No Position Found: we found nothing in their own words about Israel, Gaza or the war.
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Voted to send weapons or funding in some, but no more than half, of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 1 of 6 tracked votes.)
The money
$10K in lifetime support from the five lobbying groups we track
In their words
A New Policy PAC (2026 endorsement)
Research log
The notes behind this card: what we looked at, what we found, and where each item came from.
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2024-04-20] Signed the joint statement on the Israel Security Supplemental, opened and confirmed word for word; the release's own URL and text name him among the signatories. Quoted: "This is a moment of great consequence, the world is watching. Today is, in many ways, Congress' first official vote where we can weigh in on the direction of this war. If Congress votes to continue to supply offensive military aid, we make ourselves complicit in this tragedy." And: "Our votes against H.R. 8034 are votes against supplying more offensive weapons that could result in more killings of civilians in Rafah and elsewhere. We believe strongly in Israel's right to self-defense and have joined colleagues previously in affirming our shared commitment." And: "All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel. To protect that future, we believe the United States must help achieve a ceasefire that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin."
⚠ **Multi-member statement, roughly twenty signatories.** Its words are the group's, not his individually, and the card says "signed a joint statement" for that reason. The statement also characterizes Netanyahu at length; that passage is the group's and is not attributed to him.
- [Position, 2025-06-05] Co-sponsored the Block the Bombs Act (H.R. 3565). Confirmed that the release names him. The bill would prohibit transfers of specified offensive weapons (2,000-pound bombs, tank rounds, artillery shells) absent written compliance with U.S. and international humanitarian law. Rep. Delia Ramirez, its lead sponsor, has her own card on this site.
- [After October 7, 2023-10-25] Expressed skepticism about combining aid requests: a single $106 billion package "gives me pause," per David Catanese's newsletter. From the weeks right after October 7; not used on the card.
- [Position, 2026-03-10] JTA noted his continued backing of the Block the Bombs Act. Not opened.
- His recorded votes on the tracked bills appear as badges on this card; the April 2024 statement is the signatories' own explanation of the vote against H.R. 8034.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2024-04-20] The joint statement calls for a ceasefire "that allows hostages to be freed, humanitarian aid to be delivered, and peace talks to begin" (confirmed, above).
- [After October 7, 2023-11-17] Joined Rep. Danny Davis in calling for a ceasefire and peace. From the weeks right after October 7.
Characterization of the conflict
- [After October 7, 2023-10-07] Statement on the Hamas attack.
- [After October 7, 2023-11-21] The Root interview on calls for a ceasefire.
- [After October 7, 2023-12-31] Guardian piece touching on his family's civil-rights legacy and the conflict. Note: `theguardian.com` was not opened.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing distinct located beyond the material above.
Consulted
- Ballotpedia; a YouTube item not opened.
Also in this race
- ?Mixed Christian Maxwell (Republican)
All Illinois candidates.
See everyone on the Illinois ballot →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 Find Your Candidates for votes, funding and contact details.