The Democratic Party is confronting internal divisions over the special relationship between the U.S. and Israel after the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war exposed political differences.
Demonstrators rally to demand a cease-fire against Palestinians in Gaza on Independence Avenue near the U.S. Capitol last month in Washington, D.C.
Since then, American leaders of both parties have maintained that special relationship. Proponents have argued it's strategically important to have a strong democratic ally in the Middle East., which was criticized for its views on U.S.-Israel ties — also points to domestic influence from pro-Israel groups as a factor in the alliance. Most notable among those groups is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and Walt says that the influence is asymmetrical.
In addition, Israel has had right-leaning prime ministers for much of the last 30 years; the country's rightward shift, Walt said, has likely made some Democrats less willing to support the country. Mark Mellman is founder of the Democratic Majority for Israel, which promotes pro-Israel Democrats. He says time has helped drive the age divide.
In particular, he said, many critics of Israel misunderstand who the victims and oppressors are:"We would argue that the rights of people in Gaza have been abrogated by Hamas much more than by Israel."
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