Members of the Democratic National Committee on Tuesday rejected a proposal for the party to endorse an arms embargo on Israel — sparking anger among antiwar activists and signaling that the debate about the party’s approach to Israel-Palestine remains far from settled.
The DNC’s rules panel voted down the resolution, which means it will not receive a full vote among DNC members who have gathered in Minneapolis for the party’s summer meeting.
Notably, the panel also rejected suggestions to amend the language so it only referred to offensive weapons. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers have opposed offensive military equipment for Israel — including through a high-profile Senate vote last month — noting the high civilian toll of Israel’s ongoing U.S.-backed attacks in Gaza and extensive allegations of Israeli war crimes. The resolution also included a call for recognizing Palestinian statehood, as U.S. allies France and Britain are preparing to do.
Margaret DeReus, the director of the policy project at the pro-Palestinian Institute for Middle East Understanding, issued a statement following the vote calling the development “standard practice for a historically unpopular Democratic leadership that will not win elections until it decides to become a political party that actually listens to its voters.”
Almost immediately afterwards, a flop-flop over a related, but softer, resolution underscored how the party apparatus is struggling to reflect its members’ views.
Earlier, the panel had passed a resolution from DNC Chair Ken Martin calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, including the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas; more aid for Palestinians; and a so-called two-state solution for the region. His resolution did not specify how the U.S. could use its leverage as Israel’s chief backer to achieve these goals, which American officials have endorsed for years but seen little progress toward. The Martin resolution also noted the Hamas-led massacre on Oct. 7, 2023, which led Israel to invade Gaza in retaliation, while saying the subsequent war has killed “tens of thousands” without specifying Israel’s responsibility for the vast majority of those deaths.
The Democratic leader developed his proposal after the arms embargo resolution was submitted earlier this month, in consultation with the hard-line pro-Israel group Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI). The organization has, for years, sought to limit Democrats’ questioning of U.S.-Israel relations, often by spending heavily against progressive politicians alongside hard-line pro-Israel groups closer to Republicans, like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
DMFI applauded the passage of Martin’s resolution — before Martin withdrew it, in a tacit acknowledgement that it did not satisfy antiwar Democrats. He said he would instead establish a DNC task force focused on Gaza.
Israel policy has been an ongoing source of intraparty contention among Democrats. President Joe Biden initiated overwhelming U.S. support for the Gaza war and sustained it throughout his presidency, despite growing opposition to the policy within his party, exemplified by the “Uncommitted” movement of primary voters, and warnings the approach was fueling a disaster.
Advocates for a more balanced U.S. approach to Israel-Palestine say it is a moral and political necessity that the Democratic Party should prioritize. They have seen signs of hope in the political success of critics of the Gaza war, like New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, legislators’ moves in Washington, and polls showing Democrats and those aligned with them are increasingly wary of Israel.
“Organizations like Democratic Majority For Israel, despite their name, don’t represent the vast majority of Democratic voters,” DeReus said in her statement. “It’s another sign of just how out of touch Democratic Party leadership is today that dark money groups like DMFI… were consulted ahead of DNC Chair Ken Martin’s decision to introduce his bland resolution, while advocates for Palestinian rights who represent most Democrats were once again shut out and ignored.”
DeReus’ group did not speak with Martin’s team, a spokesperson said, and Abbas Alawieh of the “Uncommitted” movement said his group was consulted but not given a chance to offer feedback before the Martin resolution was finalized and made public. Democrats have repeatedly told pollsters they now sympathize more with Palestinians than Israelis.
Dozens of aid groups and human rights organizations, including in Israel, say the Palestinians are enduring a man-made crisis through Israeli policies that repeatedly violate international and U.S. laws governing warfare and the use of American weapons.
Amid continued reports of horrors in Gaza, increasing numbers of Americans have rejected Israel’s military operation. An August YouGov survey showed 65% of Democrats see it as a genocide, and in a July Gallup poll, support for the Israeli campaign hit a new low, with only 8% percent of Democrats and 25% of independents approving of it.
