As Democratic Support for Israel Erodes, Blame Falls on Netanyahu
Democratic support for Israel has declined significantly, with many lawmakers and voters blaming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for aligning too closely with the Republican Party and undermining U.S.-Israel relations. While Democratic leaders insist their opposition is directed at Netanyahu’s policies rather than Israel itself, growing left-wing criticism has coincided with rising antisemitism within segments of the party. Congressional votes against military aid to Israel reflect this shift, even as U.S. support for Israel’s security remains a bipartisan norm historically. The divide is sharpened by partisan views on Netanyahu, Trump, and the Israel-Hamas war, with younger Democrats increasingly sympathetic to Palestinians.
- ▪40 of 47 Senate Democrats voted against a recent sale of military hardware to Israel, up from 15 in previous votes a year earlier.
- ▪Democratic lawmakers argue their opposition is focused on Netanyahu’s policies, not Israel’s right to exist or defend itself.
- ▪A Pew poll found only 12% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have confidence in Netanyahu, compared to 45% among Republicans and GOP leaners.
- ▪Critics like Rahm Emanuel and Jeremy Ben-Ami say Netanyahu’s repeated involvement in U.S. politics has made Israel a partisan issue.
- ▪Incidents of antisemitism within the Democratic Party, including controversial nominations and rhetoric, have raised concerns among pro-Israel Jewish Democrats.
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David M. Drucker / April 29, 2026 As Democratic Support for Israel Erodes, Blame Falls on Netanyahu Lawmakers insist they support the Jewish state and value its relationship with the U.S. Politics Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch (Photos via Getty Images). Illustration by Noah Hickey/The Dispatch (Photos via Getty Images). Audio Audio Turn any article into a podcast. Upgrade now to start listening. Text Size Members can share articles with friends & family to bypass the paywall. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Threads Email 0 Open and scroll to the comments section Benjamin Netanyahu may be the most polarizing figure in American politics outside of Donald Trump.
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