But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. How we check
James Walkinshaw
Walkinshaw will not back an expanded U.S.-Israel security agreement "until there is an end to illegal West Bank settlement activity, real progress toward peace and reconstruction in Gaza, and an end to Netanyahu's failed, never-ending total war approach." He opposes a full halt to military aid.
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You asked James Walkinshaw where they stand.
Deep Dive
Walkinshaw represents Virginia's 11th District, won in a 2025 special election, and is running for a full term.
His position sets a condition on what comes next rather than on what exists. In July 2026 he wrote: "To replace the expiring MOU, Prime Minister Netanyahu is seeking an expanded security arrangement that deepens cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries. I will not support that expansion until there is an end to illegal West Bank settlement activity, real progress toward peace and reconstruction in Gaza, and an end to Netanyahu's failed, never-ending total war approach." He adds: "Clearly, U.S. policy toward the Middle East and Israel must change."
In the same statement he explains voting against the amendment that would have cut $3.3 billion: it "barred funds for humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building efforts, and U.S. Embassy operations," and "would have cut longstanding initiatives like the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace and Middle East Regional Cooperation programs, which promote dialogue and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians." He says he joined J Street in opposing it and that "there are better ways to confront the far-right Netanyahu government."
He has said separately that he opposes a full halt to U.S. military aid. In August 2025 he argued that "severing the U.S.-Israel relationship in that way" would not serve anyone's interests, including the Palestinians.
The record
Supported sending weapons or funding in 1 of 1 tracked votes · Backs 0 of 1 tracked bills to restrict weapons transfers
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 more than half of their recorded tracked votes. (Supported sending weapons or funding in 1 of 1 tracked votes.)
The money
Checked the five lobbying groups we track; no direct 2026 support found
In their words
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, 2026-07-15] His statement on the FY2027 appropriations bill and the Massie amendment, opened and confirmed word for word. On the expiring memorandum of understanding: "To replace the expiring MOU, Prime Minister Netanyahu is seeking an expanded security arrangement that deepens cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries. I will not support that expansion until there is an end to illegal West Bank settlement activity, real progress toward peace and reconstruction in Gaza, and an end to Netanyahu's failed, never-ending total war approach." And: "Clearly, U.S. policy toward the Middle East and Israel must change."
- [Position, 2026-07-15] ⚠ **His description of the amendment, and it matters beyond this card:** "The Massie amendment would have eliminated $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing for Israel and barred funds for humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, peace-building efforts, and U.S. Embassy operations. This poorly-drafted amendment would have cut longstanding initiatives like the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace and Middle East Regional Cooperation programs, which promote dialogue and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians." And: "For those reasons, I joined pro-peace organizations like J Street in opposing the amendment. Its overly broad language threatened important peacebuilding work, and I believe there are better ways to confront the far-right Netanyahu government and secure the lasting peace that Palestinians, Lebanese people, and Israelis deserve." **This is another member release that describes the amendment as reaching Palestinian-directed funding** (see Rep. Vindman's card), and it is more specific, naming two programmes.
- [Position, 2025-08-05] Jewish Insider interview, confirmed verbatim: "I'm a strong believer in the importance and value of a secure, democratic Jewish state. I think the U.S.-Israel relationship has immense historical importance. It has immense strategic importance to the United States, and I want to see a strong U.S.-Israel relationship with bipartisan support." And the outlet's report: "Walkinshaw said he opposes the push by some progressive House members for a full halt to U.S. military aid to Israel, arguing that 'severing the U.S.-Israel relationship in that way' would not serve anyone's interests, including the Palestinians. 'I think it is really important that relationship continue.'"
- His one recorded tracked vote appears as a badge on this card; the July 2026 statement is his own explanation of it. He took office after the earlier roll calls.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2026-07-15] His objection to the amendment rests substantially on this direction: humanitarian aid, refugee resettlement, and the two named Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding programmes (confirmed verbatim, above).
- [Position, 2026-07-15] He also says the appropriations bill itself "should fund U.S. humanitarian, diplomatic, and democracy programs globally, including peacekeeping missions... and efforts to address the root causes of conflict," and that he voted no on the underlying bill because it failed to do that.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2026-07-15] Refers to "the far-right Netanyahu government" and "Netanyahu's failed, never-ending total war approach" (confirmed).
- [Position, 2026-03-11] Atlantic Council Turkey Defense Journal Q&A. Not opened.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Position, 2026-07-15] Says he "joined pro-peace organizations like J Street in opposing the amendment" (confirmed). His own alignment statement, not an advocacy group's claim about him.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- [2025-12-01] A House release returned by the research; not opened.
Consulted
Also in this race
- –No Position Found Arthur Purves (Republican)
- –Research Underway Dianne L. Blais (Green)
All Virginia candidates.
See everyone on the Virginia 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.