In his speech, Emanuel, who was chief of staff to former president Barack Obama, called for an end to U.S. subsidies to Israel’s defense budget, arguing the country should pay for American defense like any other ally. He also wants to sanction Israelis who attack Palestinian civilians and property, along with politicians who offer their support for that violence.
Emanuel’s condemnation of Israel’s leadership shows how far centrist Democrats have shifted away from historic support of Israel, despite the fact that it has been less than three years since Hamas terrorists carried out their massacre of more than 1200 Israeli men, women and children.
About 58% of Democrats say the U.S. is “too supportive” of the Israelis, according to a new survey by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, up from 45% in January 2024. Roughly half of Democrats believe that Israel has committed genocide in its response to the Hamas attack, a charge Israel vehemently denies.
