In his latest column, Jonathan S. Tobin argues that the Democratic Party has already lost its moral battle over antisemitism and Israel, as anti‑Zionist rhetoric has become increasingly mainstream among its candidates and leaders.
Recent incidents highlight this trend: Democratic candidate Maureen Galindo suggested turning an ICE detention center into a prison for Zionists, a statement condemned even by party leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez. Yet Tobin notes that such views are no longer fringe, pointing to figures like Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Summer Lee, and Zohran Mamdani, whose openly anti‑Israel positions resonate with parts of the Democratic base.
Meanwhile, Tobin warns that Republicans are not immune to similar challenges. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed a generational divide: younger Republicans are less supportive of Israel and more skeptical of U.S. military aid, while older voters remain strongly pro‑Israel. The popularity of figures like Tucker Carlson, despite his antisemitic rhetoric, raises concerns about the GOP’s future trajectory.
Still, Tobin emphasizes that pro‑Israel sentiment remains dominant among Republican voters, citing the defeat of Rep. Thomas Massie, who ran on an anti‑Israel platform and lost despite significant outside funding. For now, opposition to Israel remains “political poison” within the GOP.
By contrast, Democratic primaries increasingly reward candidates who embrace anti‑Israel positions. Tobin highlights races like that of Rep. Dan Goldman in New York, who faces a strong challenge from Brad Lander, an outspoken critic of Israel.
Context
Tobin concludes that while Republicans are engaged in a battle for their soul regarding Israel and antisemitism, Democrats have already ceded that ground, normalizing rhetoric that once would have been politically unacceptable. The future of bipartisan support for Israel, he warns, is now in serious doubt.
Subscribe to the JFN WhatsApp Channel
