In recent years, the Democratic Party has shifted its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While once viewed as a steadfast ally of the Jewish state, Democrats have become increasingly critical of Israeli policies towards Palestinians. This shift has been made evident through the party’s national platform and the statements of prominent Democrats, many of whom have condemned the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Prominent Democrats have echoed the criticisms of progressive organizations such as J Street and echo the point of view that the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict must be resolved through the establishment of a two-state solution. Representatives in the Democratic Party have become increasingly critical of Israel’s handling of the conflict, with some holding the view that the country has not demonstrated a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution. Moreover, the Democratic Party has also accused the Israeli government of violating international law, with the party’s platform mentioning the 2014 Israeli bombardment of Gaza as an example of such violations.
In the past, there has been a bipartisan consensus in the United States supporting strong ties with Israel. While many Democrats continue to support this bipartisan consensus, there are now a growing number of high-profile Democrats that are calling for a reassessment of the United States-Israel relationship. For example, Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu’s recent decision to end a two-state solution, while Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has called for a reevaluation of US military aid to Israel. Moreover, many of the Democratic Presidential hopefuls have voiced criticisms of the Israeli Prime Minister and his policies.
The Democratic Party’s shift in attitudes indicates that the consensus on US-Israel relations is rapidly changing. While there are some Democrats who continue to support the status quo, there is now an increasing number of those that are looking for a different approach to the issue. While it is too early to tell how far the party will shift on this issue, it is clear that the Democratic Party is becoming increasingly skeptical of the Israeli government’s approach to the conflict. As the election season approaches, the fate of the US-Israel relationship could hinge on the outcome of the Democratic primaries.
