Democrats in US increasingly shift on Israel amid Gaza genocide

A growing number of Democratic politicians—including some centrists from swing states—are increasingly turning away from pro-Israel policies and activities, such as lobbyist-funded trips and campaign donations.

This shift comes as Israel approaches the two-year mark of its genocidal war—and now mass forced displacement—of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Ahead of the 2026 congressional race, Representative Deborah Ross from the swing state of North Carolina has said she will no longer accept contributions from AIPAC (the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) after having previously accepted over $100,000 from them.

"Congresswoman Ross is not currently accepting AIPAC contributions," a spokesperson for Ross's office told The Intercept for a report published in August.

In Ohio, which is considered a red state, State Senator Sen. Beth Liston announced that she would be cancelling a paid trip to Israel, describing it as propaganda.

"What I decided was that I didn’t just need to guard against propaganda. I WAS the propaganda in this sponsored trip. I did not want to be used as a tool in support of the Israeli government actions. I cancelled the trip," Liston wrote on X, formerly Twitter, earlier this month. In her multi-tweet thread, she went on to thank her constituents for urging her not to travel, saying this is how democracy is supposed to work.

Following the United Nations designation of Israel's war on Gaza as a genocide earlier this month, Bernie Sanders of Vermont became the first US senator to use the term. It was a step that many of his progressive supporters saw as belated, though it was also widely viewed as an important recognition by a high-profile sitting US politician of what has for many months been confirmed by human rights experts.

This follows months of progressive politicians, including Sanders, condemning Israel's war on Gaza, which includes the introductions of legislation, notably the Block the Bombs Act (HR 3565), which would limit offensive weapons transfers to Israel. So far, it has been backed by around 50 co-sponsors.

Also supporting this legislation is congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti, running in the Democratic primary against Nancy Pelosi. He currently has an online ad stating, "Silence is complicity. Tell Pelosi: Block the Bombs and end US support for genocide."

Though he is running as a progressive, the ad is relatively bold for a candidate who is still getting his footing in a race against one of the most powerful members of Congress.

In another noteworthy move, a growing bloc of progressive Democrats are supporting the recognition of a Palestinian state. Seven Senate Democrats, led By Jeff Merkley of Oregon, have put forth a resolution for the US to unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. A similar measure exists in the House.

It appears that politicians are beginning to catch up with the American public, who are showing a growing disapproval of Israel's military action in Gaza.

According to a Gallup poll in late July, Americans' approval of Israel's actions in Gaza is at 32 percent, the lowest since Gallup first asked in November 2023.

Meanwhile, the latest Gallup poll on this issue shows that Republicans' support for Israel's war on Gaza has gone up since their previous poll on the subject was taken in September.