As the Biden administration played out, it seemed clear that there were going to be tough times ahead for Israel amongst the Democrats. But how fraught it could be was brought home with a vengeance last week in the course of a debate on Israel at a meeting of the resolutions committee of the Democratic National Committee.
According to The New York Times, the party’s divisions over Israel and the war in Gaza were on “messy display” at the meeting as members debated dueling resolutions about how to respond to Israel’s Gaza policy. And although they were almost entirely symbolic, they laid bare the broader generational and establishment versus grass roots fault lines shaping the party nearly two years after the war began.”
Thus, one measure supported by DNC chairman Ed Martin and his allies on the Resolutions Committee sought to chart what might be loosely described as a relatively middle of the road course, urging an influx of humanitarian aid to Gaza, an immediate cease-fire, the release of hostages taken captive from Israel during the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023 and a “credible, negotiated pathway toward a two-state solution” for Israelis and Palestinians.
Ominously though, the other measure was backed by a number of younger DNC members including the leaders of the College Democrats of America and High School Democrats of America and called on Democratic elected officials to endorse an arms embargo and suspension of military aid to Israel, and to recognize Palestine as an independent nation.
To be sure, the Martin resolution passed unanimously with no discussion, while the other sparked a raw and emotional debate prompting Martin to withdraw his proposal and kicking it over to a task force for further study, a gesture the Times said was an acknowledgment of enduring intraparty tensions and the need to avoid a potentially fractious floor fight.
According to the Times, the broad subject of America’s posture toward Israel “remains emotional and divisive in some corners of the Democratic Party and is also shaping some of the most significant races on the 2026 map, from Maine to Michigan to Georgia.”
So, despite it being a frightening prospect, it may not be hyperbole to suggest that Israel’s relationship with the United States may soon be up for grabs if half of America has anything to say about it. We would be well-advised to pay attention.
