Rahm Emanuel: Democrats who support Israel can still lead the party to the White House

Lead

Rahm Emanuel, a veteran Democratic politician and potential 2028 presidential candidate, said Wednesday at Tel Aviv University that Democrats can win the White House without cutting off Israel, but only if the "status quo" rules of the US-Israeli alliance change. His remarks, which included pointed criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signal a potentially significant shift in how a leading Democratic figure approaches the relationship.

Coverage Comparison

Emanuel's address was covered by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post, with each outlet emphasizing different aspects of his message. Al Jazeera highlighted his criticism of Netanyahu and his call for a new approach, noting a "leftward shift" on the issue. The Jerusalem Post, in two separate reports, framed the speech as a "warning to Israel," focusing on Emanuel's caution that Netanyahu's policies are leading the country to a "dead-end."

Both outlets quoted Emanuel's central argument: that the US must abandon its unconditional support for Israel and adopt a new approach to the alliance. They also noted his deep personal ties to Israel, including his past as a civilian volunteer with the Israeli army and his father's Israeli citizenship.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Emanuel's prepared remarks, shared with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, included criticism of both Israeli extremists and Palestinian leaders, as well as their US supporters. Al Jazeera placed greater emphasis on the changing views within the Democratic Party and the broader political context, including polling data.

Key Claims

Emanuel argued that "unconditional support has produced a prime minister who has presumed that his strategic interest would incur no political costs if he ignored America's concerns about settlements and sparked a regional war." He said the US-Israeli bond needed to be reassessed, declaring, "We need, fundamentally, a new and different approach to this alliance."

According to the Jerusalem Post, Emanuel blamed what he called "our mistake" — America's assumption that "the best thing Washington could do for Jerusalem was to blindly and silently stand behind your government, without conditions, without demands, and without consequences." He said this path led to policies including Israeli extremists terrorizing West Bank Palestinians and Gazans suffering from a lack of food, leaving "Israel has never been so isolated."

Emanuel also criticized pro-Palestinian protesters who supported the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel. "For those that paraded, celebrated and cheered on Oct. 8, what happened on Oct. 7, your moral bankruptcy speaks louder than any words today," he said, according to the Jerusalem Post.

He described the pursuit of Greater Israel as a "corrosive fantasy," calling it as "destructive and fanatical" as the chant "from the river to the sea." He told those chanting the slogan, "They will never have their way," while also telling those calling for a greater Israel that they would "never" achieve it.

Al Jazeera reported that Emanuel supports sanctions against Israelis who attack Palestinian civilians and their properties, as well as officials who support such violence. The outlet also noted Emanuel's proposal for a 23-state solution, involving 21 Arab states alongside Israeli and Palestinian ones, which would include recognition of Israel by the Arab League.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Emanuel warned Israel will be alone if its leaders choose to attempt to annex the West Bank, saying America will not be complicit or complacent in that endeavor.

Al Jazeera cited US polls showing Democratic voters increasingly critical of Israel. The outlet reported that Emanuel pointed to those polls, as well as tanking support for Israel in Europe, during his speech. A Pew Research Center poll, cited by Al Jazeera, found that 60% of Americans had an unfavorable view of Israel, with 8 out of 10 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents holding negative views.

Perspectives

Rahm Emanuel: Speaking at Tel Aviv University, Emanuel argued that the US-Israeli alliance must be fundamentally reworked. He said unconditional support has emboldened Netanyahu to ignore American concerns, and he called for a new approach that includes sanctions on Israeli extremists and a 23-state solution. He warned that annexation of the West Bank would leave Israel isolated and that America would not be complicit.

Benjamin Netanyahu (as characterized by Emanuel): While Netanyahu did not directly respond in the reported coverage, Emanuel's criticism implies a perspective that Netanyahu's policies — including settlement expansion and regional actions — have harmed Israel's standing and its alliance with the US. Emanuel described Netanyahu as leading the country to a "dead-end" and turning it into a "pariah."