The anti-Netanyahu members argue that supporting the Israeli prime minister equates to endorsing what they describe as genocidal policies against Palestinians. But there’s been some significant — and, at times, harsh—pushback from within party ranks. Representative Dan Goldman told reporters, “I think what you have is a very loud, extreme minority that does not understand the history and the current situation well enough and is mischaracterising what is going on there.”

The backing of Netanyahu by pro-Israel Democrats, who still form a significant power base inside the party, is likely to inflame tensions within the party, as progressives accuse them of complicity in human rights abuses. Tlaib called Netanyahu’s invitation to Congress “utterly disgraceful” and went so far as to call for his arrest while in the US. Rep. Jerry Nadler, a senior Democrat, reached deep into Biblical history to characterise Netanyahu as “the worst leader in Jewish history since the Maccabean king who invited the Romans into Jerusalem over 2100 years ago,” in a post on X.

Perhaps the most significant absence was that of Kamala Harris, who as president of the senate would traditionally be present. Harris skipped the speech, likely in an effort to sidestep the controversy at an extremely sensitive moment for her candidacy. But she nonetheless sought to smooth over any claims of anti-Israel bias with a statement. “Throughout her career, the vice president has had an unwavering commitment to the security of Israel. That remains true today,” a Harris spokesperson told Jewish Insider.

This internal conflict is further complicated by the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC), where the party’s unity will be put to the test. The convention is expected to attract significant protests from anti-US and anti-Israel demonstrators, which could overshadow the event and highlight the party’s divisions. If today’s protests, in which police were forced to pepper-spray demonstrators, are anything to go by, it could turn ugly.

In this context, the Democratic Party’s electoral calculus becomes even more intricate. Despite the vocal opposition from progressives, the broader American electorate remains largely pro-Israel. Democrats must tread carefully to avoid alienating moderate and centrist voters who view support for Israel as a non-negotiable stance. At the same time, they must address the concerns of their progressive base to prevent a fracture that could diminish turnout and enthusiasm.

Despite the tensions, Netanyahu’s speech was marked by the majority of Congress members offering repeated standing ovations, in some cases line after line. “Let me be clear: Israel will do whatever it needs to do to secure our northern border and return our people to their homes,” Netanyahu said, again to standing applause.

Nonetheless the Democratic Party finds itself at a crossroads. The challenge lies in reconciling the divergent views within its ranks while presenting a united front to the electorate. The fallout from Netanyahu’s speech will likely set the tone for the party’s approach to foreign policy and internal cohesion as it heads into the critical months leading up to the presidential election and, of course, beyond.

---

Ashley Rindsberg is author of The Gray Lady Winked: How the New York Times’ Misreporting, Distortions and Fabrications Radically Alter History

AshleyRindsberg

---