Would a Democratic Congress change course on Israel?
This story appeared in Today, Explained, a daily newsletter that helps you understand the most compelling news and stories of the day. Israel felt inescapable in the midterm primaries, especially for Democrats, where centrists and progressives clashed — memorably! — over military aid, Gaza, and (of course) AIPAC. But with the Election Day almost upon us, […]
Recently, Americans' views of Israel have declined significantly over the past 18 months, according to a recent poll conducted by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. When asked to prioritize issues for Congress's next term, only less than a third of voters prioritized cutting off aid to Israel, while the majority prioritized cost of living and ending the Iran war.
Israel's influence extends beyond opinions and activism, however, as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has become a major force in US elections. Previously, AIPAC has been a prominent spender and flashpoint in Democratic primaries, but this year, it has been overshadowed by Republican big-business donors, who have given the GOP a historic spending advantage.
Despite these influences, it is unclear if a Democratic Congress will significantly change its course on Israel during the midterms. While a Democratic majority would gain new tools to address Israel-Palestine issues, they will likely face significant challenges in reversing President Trump's foreign policy agenda, and American voters rarely rank Israel policy as a top priority in general elections.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
