Rep. Ro Khanna speaks at a rally demanding that the Senate vote to reject Mike Pompeo's nomination for Secretary of State, April 11, 2018. (Photo/JTA-Tasos Katopodis-Getty for MoveOn.org) News U.S. Bay Area House Dems press Trump on US equipment used by Israel to demolish homes Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | March 19, 2020 More than 60 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives want the Trump administration to press Israel not to use American military equipment to demolish Palestinian homes. In a letter sent Monday to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — spearheaded by Reps. Ro Khanna, who represents parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties; Anna Eshoo, who represents parts of Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties; and Steve Cohen, D-Tenn. — the House members note recent demolitions in eastern Jerusalem and U.N. reports last year of a 45 percent increase in Israeli home demolitions. They also asked for an examination of Israeli compliance with the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, which restricts recipients of U.S. military equipment to using it for “legitimate self-defense.” It’s not clear whether Israel currently uses American equipment in home demolitions, which Israeli officials say target illegally built units. In the past, Israel has used Caterpillar land moving equipment to demolish the homes of convicted terrorists and structures used to attack Israeli forces. “My hope is that Israel will stop the home demolitions and will see that there are many supporters of the U.S.-Israel relationship on this letter,” Khanna told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency in an interview. A number of Jewish Democrats signed the letter. In addition to Cohen, they include Reps. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Alan Lowenthal, D-Calif., John Yarmuth, D-Ky., and Andy Levin-D-Mich. Ron Kampeas JTA D.C. bureau chief JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Israel Masafer Yatta: The legal battle over West Bank evictions, explained Bay Area Ro Khanna, progressive Bay Area lawmaker, navigates careful pro-Israel line Israeli economic consulate leaves Silicon Valley for L.A. Politics New conditions on aid to Israel? J Street says yes, AIPAC no Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up