WASHINGTON (TNND) — The war in Gaza is reshaping the Democratic Party’s relationship with Israel, as prominent figures on the left intensify their criticism of the Israeli government and Democratic voters increasingly express sympathy for Palestinians.
Mamdani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and accused him of being an architect of what Mamdani described as a genocide of Palestinians. (TNND)
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont this week again described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as “genocide,” a characterization Israel strongly rejects.
Mamdani called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and accused him of being an architect of what Mamdani described as a genocide of Palestinians. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, similarly accused Israel’s government of committing genocide.
Netanyahu, who is scheduled to address the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, has forcefully rejected those accusations and defended Israel’s military campaign. In a video message ahead of his visit, Netanyahu criticized Mamdani and said he planned to defend Israel and its soldiers during his U.N. address.
The dispute comes as Democratic attitudes toward Israel have shifted significantly.
A Pew Research Center survey conducted in May found just 16% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents held a favorable view of the Israeli government, down from 35% in 2022. Democrats remain considerably more favorable toward the Israeli people, with 43% expressing a favorable view.
Gallup polling released earlier this year found 65% of Democrats said they sympathized more with Palestinians in the Middle East conflict, compared with 17% who sympathized more with Israelis. Republicans remained substantially more sympathetic toward Israelis.
The use of the term “genocide” remains particularly contentious. Israel denies that its conduct meets the legal definition and says its military campaign is directed at Hamas following the militant group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Former Maryland state Sen. Bobby Zirkin, a Democrat and supporter of Israel, argued that some Democratic leaders are responding to pressure from a party base that has become increasingly critical of Israel.
The political divide is likely to follow Netanyahu to New York.
Mamdani has renewed his call for Netanyahu to be arrested during his visit, citing the International Criminal Court’s warrant for the Israeli leader. But the mayor has acknowledged he does not have the authority to order such an arrest.
The United States is not a party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC and does not recognize the court’s authority over Americans. The Trump administration has also strongly opposed the ICC’s actions involving Israel.