TEHRAN – An increasing number of US Democrats are openly criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
As calls for an end to Israel’s war with Gaza continue to grow, Democrats are now using their legislative power to challenge the status quo. On Wednesday, a record number of Senate Democrats supported two resolutions introduced by the senators aimed at blocking US arms sales to Israel. The resolution was ultimately defeated, but the move has traditionally raised an unprecedented level of dispute from within Israeli Congress, as Republicans and other Democrats voted for them.
It is naive to believe that this shift arises purely in Palestinian sympathy. Rather, many Democrats view Netanyahu’s leadership as a responsibility. This threatens not only the global position of Israel, but also the future of Zionism itself in the eyes of young, progressive voters.
Recent polls reflect changes in public sentiment. A Gallup poll in July found that 52% of Americans disapproved Netanyahu. This is his worst rating since 1997. Only 9% of Democrats view him favorably. The vote also revealed a dramatic decline in support for Israeli military action in Gaza. Just 32% of Americans supported the war, and plunged to just 8% among Democrats.
As global rage over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis intensifies, Washington’s political calculations have changed. According to CNN, Democrat leaders are increasingly distanced from Netanyahu, known as Bibi, and fear that unwavering support for him will alienate voters ahead of the mid-2026 and 2028 presidential elections.
“There could be fear that Zionism could die among Democrats, and many party leaders would explicitly break through with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and prevent it from becoming a litmus test for next year’s mid-term and 2028 presidential primary).
This internal calculation is also shaped into the house. There, new letters recognized by us in the Palestinian state are gaining traction. Meanwhile, France has already announced that it will recognize the Palestinian state in September. Other Israeli allies, the UK and Canada, are considering similar moves. These actions occur when Israel refuses to meet international demands, such as agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza.
Western officials have cited the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, but their underlying concerns appear to be geopolitical. Netanyahu’s incompromise is diplomatically isolating Israel and promoting domestic opposition.
For many Democrats, Netanyahu is no longer a breakwater for Israel’s survival, but represents a threat to its legitimacy. Their growing opposition marks a dramatic rethinking of US policy towards Israel. One is unconditional support and more unshapeed by political risks and strategic needs.