Moderate Democrats change their tone on Israel

Shifting Sands: Ritchie Torres Questions Israel Amid Humanitarian Crisis

Representative Ritchie Torres of New York, a notable advocate for Israel within the Democratic Party, is now beginning to voice concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, particularly in light of harrowing images depicting starving Palestinian children. This subtle yet significant pivot from a staunch defender of the Jewish state underscores a broader trend among moderate Democrats who are increasingly reconsidering their unconditional support for Israel—a stance that has long been a hallmark of the party.

As countries around the world react with horror to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where thousands of children are reportedly succumbing to starvation, Torres has stepped into the fray. “All parties, including the U.S. and Israel, have a moral obligation to do everything in our power to ease the hardship and hunger that’s taken hold in the Gaza Strip,” he articulated in a recent interview, striking a tone that reflects growing unease within his party.

Despite this shift, Torres maintains that his commitment to Zionism remains intact. “I feel it’s possible to be an unapologetic Zionist while at the same time recognizing there’s a crisis in Gaza and acknowledging that the war has poorly defined strategic objectives,” he elaborated, illustrating the complex interplay of personal beliefs and political realities.

Torres is not navigating these waters alone. Across the United States, moderate Democrats—who have historically resisted pressure from the left to renounce Zionism—are increasingly voicing their dissent regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza. This trend is driven by mounting constituent anger ahead of the impending midterm elections. The manner in which Democrats articulate their positions on Israel is set to become a critical litmus test in battleground primaries as the party seeks to reclaim control of the House and gain ground in the Senate.

In a notable legislative move, a majority of Democratic senators recently supported a resolution aimed at prohibiting the sale of assault weapons to Israeli police. This marks a stark departure from the party’s previous stance since the recent military escalation. The unprecedented resolution comes amid polling data indicating a decline in support for Israel among Democratic voters, suggesting that the prolonged conflict may have inflicted irreparable harm on the relationship between the Democratic Party and the Israeli government. Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) encapsulated this sentiment when he remarked, “what’s happening now isn’t working.”

This dynamic is also resonating within Republican circles, where isolationist voices are increasingly critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “The facts on the ground are that militarily, they have significant tactical advantages… So the question arises, why can’t you get food in there and health care services and basically follow humanitarian laws?” Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed questioned, reflecting a growing bipartisan unease over the situation.

While a resolution to block heavy-grade munitions failed despite garnering support from 24 Democrats, it is indicative of a shifting political landscape. Sanders suggested that as public sentiment continues to sway against Netanyahu, Republican support for similar measures could soon materialize. “You’re going to see fairly soon a number of Republicans beginning to understand that their constituents don’t want taxpayer dollars to go to an Israeli government starving children,” he predicted.

In the context of the ongoing crisis, Torres has also sought to draw attention to Israeli hostages held by Hamas, asserting that the world’s silence on their starvation reflects a double standard in humanitarian discourse. “The world’s silence about the deliberate starvation of Israeli hostages—at the hands of Hamas and Islamic Jihad—is as deafening as its hypocrisy,” he emphasized, highlighting the complexity of the humanitarian situation.

Supporters of Israel have generally defended Torres, appreciating his longstanding commitment to the cause, though some have expressed concern over his increasing social media engagement on the topic. “It’s precisely because Congressman Torres has been so proactive about calling out antisemitism that masquerades as antizionism that when he has constructive advice about Israel it’s listened to in a way that a statement from the member of Congress who represents an adjacent district isn’t,” noted Stu Loeser, a consultant associated with pro-Israel donors.

On the Republican front, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has notably described the situation in Gaza—a region that has seen the deaths of over 60,000 Palestinians—as a “genocide.” Meanwhile, prominent figures in conservative media have begun to spotlight alleged war crimes linked to Israel’s military actions.

Even former President Donald Trump, who has traditionally aligned himself with Netanyahu, has hinted at Israel’s responsibility for the ongoing crisis, although he later urged Hamas to surrender for the sake of ending the humanitarian suffering. “Everybody, left, right and center should react viscerally against starvation imposed by another government,” stated Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz, emphasizing the moral imperative that transcends political affiliations.

Hardline supporters of Israel, like Senator John Fetterman, have taken a different stance, viewing the resolutions as an unwarranted blame on Israel rather than Hamas or Iran. “No one ever declared that it was an actual famine, to be clear,” he asserted, even as he acknowledged the troubling images circulating online.

Critics of Netanyahu within the Democratic Party argue that his aggressive military strategies risk alienating American support. Former Biden administration officials attribute the shift in Democratic sentiment to Netanyahu’s actions rather than electoral pressures. “A blank check approach to Israel, especially with this Israeli government, is fundamentally in contravention to our interests and values,” articulated Ned Price, a former State Department spokesperson.

Current polling reflects a dramatic decline in approval of Israel’s military actions among Democrats, with only 8 percent expressing support—a significant drop since the onset of the conflict. In contrast, 71 percent of Republicans continue to endorse Israel’s military response, further illustrating the partisan divide on this issue.

The evolving public opinion is starkly illustrated in New York, where Democratic primary voters recently nominated Zohran Mamdani for mayor, despite significant financial opposition targeting his anti-Israel stance. A considerable majority of voters believe that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, underscoring a profound shift in sentiment that Torres acknowledges: “If there is an erosion of support for Israel in the United States, that’s not something the Israeli government should take lightly.”

Consultant Chris Coffey, a longtime ally of Torres, suggests that the visceral images of suffering children are reshaping the Democratic narrative. “What was once a minority view now feels like the majority view in the Democratic Party,” he posited, noting that even staunch supporters like Torres are now compelled to confront uncomfortable questions regarding Israeli policy.

Eric Bazail-Eimil and Joe Gould contributed reporting.