New York sweep by Israel critics shines light on a fraught issue for Democrats

[Jilly_in_VA]

When Varun Venkatesh cast his ballot in New York’s primary this week, he thought about “a good litmus test for me as a voter.” He wanted to know what the candidates are doing for the Palestinian cause.

The 27-year-old Brooklyn resident decided to support Claire Valdez, who was backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, over Antonio Reynoso, another progressive who was the choice of the Democratic establishment, because she had “a clear and more consistent stance.”

Valdez triumphed in her congressional primary, as did two other insurgent candidates endorsed by Mamdani, and Israel was a key issue in each of the races. Now the question for Democrats is how many more voters like Venkatesh are out there as the party charts its path toward the November midterms and the next presidential election.

The war in Gaza began with Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which responded with a yearslong counterattack that left more than 73,000 dead. About 1,000 have died since a ceasefire was reached in October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry that does not differentiate between civilian and combatant casualties.

Human rights groups and a United Nations commission have described Israel’s actions as a genocide, a charge that’s been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

https://apnews.com/article/mamdani-democrats-new-york-israel-palestine-01de0690f2fb99e89cb40817b7da0f66

Is the tide turning?

[JBTaurus83]

1. It's only a controversial issue for the donor class.

[Danmel]

2. Really?

I'm concerned about this. I'm a Jewish New Yorker, not part of any "donor " class. What are you insinuating here?

[JBTaurus83]

4. I'm not insinuating anything

The people who have funded and supported the wars and genocide in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran are the “donor class”. The military industrialists, the rich people that give to both parties. I mean no disrespect to you or any Jewish person anywhere in the USA.

[CivicGrief]

6. Why are you concerned about criticism of

genocide? Bibi’s words may deny it, but his actions confirm it.

[Happy Hoosier]

3. I don't see it as fraught anymore.

Israel has chosen a path I personally cannot support. They have decided that Oct 7 is their causus belli to seize and annex territory. And they are willing to kill a LOT of innocent people to do it. I have been a supporter of Israel and it's right to exist. But their behavior over the last 2 years especially is something I cannot support.

There is nothing Antisemetic about opposing the current Israeli government.

[JBTaurus83]

5. I share this feeling

I am not Jewish, but; I grew up in a small town and Judaism was a religion other than Christianity in my area so I decided to educate myself and attend their synagogue for a bit. Wonderful compassionate people, and the rabbi who was a woman oversaw a lesbian wedding I attended.

I was always very sympathetic towards Israel, and after the terror attack in their country. Everything that has happened afterwards has been a downward spiral though, and I cannot in good conscience support it or any religious/ethno state.

[Danmel]

14. All proof that israel is needed as a Jewish state

When you can tell me who you have asked to hide you, you can tell me otherwise.

[3_Limes]

7. This will be an important issue for me this cycle as well.

Having -strongly- supported Israel for decades I can no longer tolerate what they've become. Any candidates in favor or ending our generosity in that direction will certainly move toward the top of my list.

[JBTaurus83]

9. Just speaking for myself here obviously

But; if they would change their policies and actually do something positive in the area, I’d be much more receptive to sending some of my tax dollars there. I do think the time is coming where they will have a reckoning. Once the USA stops supplying their weapons and supporting them; they have no one left.

[Jilly_in_VA]

18. That's exactly how I feel

I was a passionate supporter of Israel for most of my life, and I still see the need for a Jewish state, but not a rapacious Jewish state committing genocide upon its neighbors.

[Nanjeanne]

8. Is the tide turning? I certainly hope so.

[betsuni]

11. Democrats held personally responsible for complex war involving PM of one country and a terrorist group in another.

Whoever thought that up to divide the party really got lucky.

[KPN]

12. Hard to believe it was anyone's preconceived strategy,

but who am I to really know. I just can’t imagine it, and that’s good enough for me.

[Eko]

15. Are they being held personally responsible for that war or their thoughts about it and what they support our

government doing to support, influence or even stop said war? Seems to me like the latter since I've yet to see any Democratic candidate or politician actually being held personally responsible for what is happening there.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. In CD-7 NJ

My vote in the primary between the last 4 candidates - was based solely on the fact that he was the ONLY one of the four to make a clear, concise statement about Black Americans losing our right to vote. If ONE loses it in the South - We have ALL (Black Americans) lost it.

This is a moral and survival issue for me. It's 1877 - and we know white America is absolutely vicious in Jim Crow environments. Given the framework - we have 100 years of prior behavior to look to as a prediction of current and future behavior.

Some folks are for Palestine, some are for abortion rights -


But Black Americans are Black first. The party would be wise to heed the warning. We ARE our Ancestors. If we go back - America isn't going to like how we Play the Game this round.

[electric_blue68]

16. Only one? A shame...

The 2 step evisceration of the VRA first in either '11 or '13, and then recently is hideous. Plus various voter rolls purges in certain States.

(in fact you just reminded me of something. I have to go check Ty)
Oh well couldn't get through by phone...back to you.

I don't know what can be done right now except State by State but I'd hope Dems if we get the Congress again fight for some new VRA version. Let 😬 the SCOTUS 6 try and ruin the next one!

Rachel reported Mon I think some
positive news out of Georgia and a Black representative district.

[MineralMan]

17. Three primary candidates in

Three NYC house districts do not add up to a "sweep." Nope.

You exaggerate.