US (Washington Insider Magazine) – Last week, the progressive Jewish group If Not Now took their message to Capitol Hill, rallying for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. As they sang a call-and-response of “cease-fire now” and “not in our name” by the Reflecting Pool, spokesman Matan Arad-Neeman expressed concern over the limited congressional support for their cause.
“We’ve only seen 17 members of Congress so far call for a cease-fire. I’m grateful for their moral courage, but the rest of Congress needs to step up and end this bloodshed,”
he stated.
Currently, only 18 House members have backed a resolution calling for a ceasefire, reflecting a significant divide within the Democratic Party. A recent Gallup poll indicated that for the first time in over two decades, more Democrats sympathize with Palestinians than Israelis—about half compared to 40% for Israelis. This shift represents a long-standing transformation in party sentiment.
Historically, the U.S. has maintained strong support for Israel since its founding, with President Harry Truman being the first to recognize the state in 1948. This support intensified during the Cold War, as American leaders sought a democratic ally in the Middle East. Stephen Walt, a Harvard professor, points to the influence of pro-Israel groups like AIPAC as a key factor in sustaining this alliance, noting the lack of substantial counterforces advocating for Palestinian rights.
Despite this alliance, political and generational rifts have emerged within the Democratic Party. Israeli leaders’ actions, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s alignment with the Republican Party during the Obama administration, have alienated some Democrats. Additionally, Israel’s rightward political shift has contributed to a decline in support among progressive factions.
Polling indicates that younger Americans are increasingly critical of Israel, drawing parallels between its policies and broader issues of systemic oppression faced by marginalized communities. Many young progressives view Israel’s treatment of Palestinians through the lens of historical injustices, aligning their advocacy with other social justice movements.
While prominent progressive voices in Congress, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, have gained visibility, they still represent a minority within the party. Arad-Neeman believes that the Democratic Party’s shift on this issue is likely to continue, as younger generations question decades of U.S. and Israeli policy that they perceive as maintaining a system of oppression.
As President Biden navigates this complex landscape, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself while advocating for Palestinian aid, the debate over U.S.-Israel relations is set to intensify.