Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate, warned that Israel is becoming a "territorial pariah" due to its leadership and policies, risking its alliance with the U.S. He called for an end to unconditional aid and suggested sanctions.
Emanuel's remarks signal a potential shift in Democratic Party sentiment towards Israel and highlight growing concerns about the country's international standing and the future of U.S. aid.
Rahm Emanuel, a prominent Democrat and potential candidate for the 2028 US presidential election, delivered a stark warning to Israel, stating it risks jeopardizing its alliance with the U.S. unless it changes its policies regarding the Palestinians. Speaking at Tel Aviv University, Emanuel described Israel as becoming a "territorial pariah" due to growing unease among American voters, particularly younger ones, with its actions. He cited settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank, as well as restrictions on aid to Gaza, as contributing factors.
Emanuel criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for shunning diplomacy and failing to convert military gains into strategic advantages, pointing to the lack of a "day-after" plan for Gaza and no strategy against Hezbollah. He suggested cutting American subsidies to Israel’s defense budget and levelling sanctions against Israelis who attack Palestinian civilians and Israeli politicians who endorse settler violence. He also mocked Israel’s recent foreign policy, noting its only new diplomatic gain is recognition from Somaliland.
The speech highlighted a significant shift in Democratic support for Israel, with favorability ratings among Democrats falling sharply. Emanuel proposed trust-building measures to revive the peace process, including a "23-state solution" involving Arab states, Israel, and Palestinians, and called for an end to unconditional US aid to Israel. He stated that Washington-Tel Aviv relations are currently "at a crossroads" and require "significant changes and a new direction".
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