Prominent pro-Israel Democrats gathered recently at the Jewish Democratic Council of America Leadership Summit in Washington, where party leaders cautiously addressed one of the most divisive debates currently reshaping the Democratic Party: shifting voter attitudes toward Israel.
The growing divide over Israel and the war in Gaza has increasingly influenced Democratic primaries and campaign messaging ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. While many Democrats have voiced criticism of Israeli policies, some party leaders warn that legitimate criticism has, at times, crossed into rhetoric they believe alienates Jewish voters and fuels antisemitism.
Speaking at the summit, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi quoted an Israeli poem to argue that disagreement with a nation’s leadership should not weaken broader support for the country itself.
“‘I will not stay silent because my country changed her face. I will not give up reminding her, and sing in her ears until she will open her eyes,’” Pelosi said while addressing attendees.
“Could be about the United States,” she added.
For decades, support for the U.S.-Israel relationship was viewed as a largely bipartisan issue in United States politics. However, the aftermath of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has widened divisions, particularly among Democrats, independents and younger voters.
Polling cited during the debate reflects that shift. According to earlier NBC News surveys, 57% of Democrats now hold a negative view of Israel, up significantly from 35% in 2023. Two-thirds of Democrats also said they sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis, compared with just 18% in 2013.
Similar findings from Gallup showed Americans expressing greater sympathy for Palestinians than Israelis for the first time in two decades of polling on the issue.
The changing political landscape has strengthened progressive critics of Israel within the Democratic Party, particularly amid frustrations over the Gaza war and the close alliance between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the conflict with Iran.
More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have publicly described Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, according to the news outlet Zeteo. Debates over Israel policy and campaign spending by pro-Israel groups such as AIPAC have also become central issues in several high-profile Democratic primaries.
Upcoming contests are expected to intensify those divisions, including a rematch between Rep. Wesley Bell and former Rep. Cori Bush, as well as a closely watched Senate race in Michigan.
In Philadelphia, progressive candidate Chris Rabb recently won a Democratic primary campaign that prominently featured debate over U.S. policy toward Israel.
“Our fates are intertwined,” Rabb said in an interview with Rep. Ro Khanna. “What happens overseas impacts us domestically, and vice versa.”
Rabb criticized U.S. spending tied to the conflicts in Gaza and Iran, arguing that resources could instead be invested in domestic communities.
Despite the growing internal debate, pro-Israel Democrats at the summit emphasized that they still believe the party’s top leadership remains firmly supportive of Israel.
Both Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries addressed the conference, reiterating support for Israel and condemning antisemitism.
“Our leadership continues to strongly stand with our views and values as it relates to Israel,” said Halie Soifer. “We have not seen the leadership of the party change or waver on this matter.”
