Key facts
- Rahm Emanuel plans to criticize Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech in Tel Aviv.
- Emanuel will state the U.S.-Israel relationship is "at a crossroads."
- Emanuel proposes sanctions on Israelis attacking Palestinians.
- Emanuel proposes ending U.S. defense budget subsidies for Israel.
- A new AP-NORC poll shows declining U.S. support for Israel.
- Democrats are increasingly critical of Israel, according to the poll.
- About one-third of Americans believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
- A similar share of American Jews believe Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
- Benjamin Netanyahu urged the U.S. not to sell F-35s or engines to Turkey.
- Netanyahu stated the sale would upset the regional power balance.
- Netanyahu cited Turkey's hostility towards Israel and NATO allies.
U.S. Ambassador Rahm Emanuel is scheduled to deliver a significant speech in Tel Aviv where he plans to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Emanuel will state that the U.S.-Israel relationship is "at a crossroads" and requires substantial changes. Among his proposed actions are sanctions on Israelis who attack Palestinians and an end to U.S. defense budget subsidies for Israel. This signals a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Israel.
Concurrently, a new AP-NORC poll indicates a decline in U.S. support for Israel. The poll shows that Democrats are increasingly critical of Israel, and divisions are also emerging among Republicans. Approximately one-third of Americans, a figure mirrored among American Jews, believe that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. This erosion of support suggests a growing segment of the American public is questioning U.S. policy.
In a separate development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the United States not to proceed with the sale of F-35 fighter jets or engines to Turkey. Netanyahu stated that such a sale would upset the regional power balance, specifically by undermining Israel's air superiority and America's standing in the region. He cited Turkey's perceived hostility towards Israel and its NATO allies as reasons for his concern regarding the potential arms deal.