The battle over Israel between Democratic candidates has recently exploded into the public political sphere, as all of the frontrunners are entrenched in different views on the Middle Eastern nation. The usually united front of the Democratic ticket has splintered over views on Israel’s responsibilities to the Palestinian people, as well as questions over foreign aid and the support of strongly pro-Israel lobby groups.
In recent weeks, an increasingly tense battle has unfolded between Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren concerning Sanders’ willingness to criticize Israel’s policies on the Palestinian people. Sanders has openly argued against the foreign aid the US gives to Israel while Warren and most other Democratic candidates oppose conditioning US aid to Israel. There has also been big debate about the nation’s acceptance of support from U.S. lobby groups like American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The issue of Israel has become a major force within the Democratic Party that highlights the deep emotions and policy divisions that drive many of the current debates. With Sanders’ current momentum driving him forward, he is bringing these issues to the forefront and pushing the Party to address what was once a “third-rail” issue.
At the same time, some in the Party are worried that the debate over Israel is undermining the decades-long commitment the Democratic Party has held to a strong, pro-Israel stance. Many fear that the continuous airing of views that are critical of Israel’s policies will threaten not only the current relations between the US and Israel, but also the sense of unity within the Democratic Party itself.
Whether or not the debate on Israel will effect the outcome of the race for the White House is yet to be seen, but what is certain is that the Democratic Party’s emotional divisions over Israel have made their way into the public’s eye. The media, the public, and all the candidates involved are now all interacting with a question that has lurked in the background of the Democratic Party for many years. Now, everyone awaits to see how the Democratic Party will respond to the current situation.