Texas Democratic convention shows shifting stance on Israel-Gaza

Jewish Democrats found themselves on defense at the Texas Democratic Convention in Corpus Christi last week. 

While some party delegates were pushing in the platform to condemn Israel and accuse the nation of genocide in Gaza, the final version of the document approved on Saturday struck a more nuanced tone, recognizing Israel’s right to exist, condemning Hamas and calling for support for a Palestinian state.

While many Texas Jewish Democrats have also been critical of Israeli political leadership, they have worried the tone can alienate Jewish voters and, at its worst, feel anti-Semitic. Some said they felt disrespected at times during the platform fight, but ultimately were pleased to see the final version lose most of the most divisive language. 

“I’m relieved,” said Arthur Pronin, president of the Meyerland-area Democrats. 

The final platform closely mirrors the one adopted during the party’s 2024 convention in El Paso. But Democrats added a key line that seemed aimed at reducing the tension, by saying the party recognizes “that criticizing the policies, laws, or actions of a specific regime should never be treated as an indictment of the citizens, many of whom may lack political power, hold differing views, or suffer under those exact same policies.”

The party also added a line that would have been unheard of just a few years ago, jabbing — by name — at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which has long been one of the most prolific fundraising arms in U.S. politics.

The platform now calls for more accountability in campaign finance and to “eliminate and reject the influence and contributions of foreign-interest PACs and lobbying organizations, including AIPAC, on campaigns.”

It’s a shocking statement compared to just a few years ago, when the safest position for Democrats was to express unconditional support of Israel and take donations from AIPAC. But primary elections in New York City last week showed the shifting political ground. 

Progressives, who ran hard against the war in Gaza and used AIPAC contributions as a weapon against incumbents, swept a trio of congressional primaries in America’s most heavily Jewish city. The also openly accused Israel of genocide, a characterization that more Democratic candidates have been leaning into, particularly those with heavily liberal bases.

An NBC News poll from earlier this year found that 57% of Democrats nationwide had a negative view of Israel, up from 35% in 2023. Two-thirds of Democrats said their sympathies were more with Palestinians than with Israelis in the Middle East.

At the Texas Democratic Convention, many delegates wore scarves to symbolize their support for Palestinians.

The changing nature of Democrats’ views toward the Israeli government and AIPAC was on full display at the event during a Friday speech delivered by U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.. Once an ardent supporter of Israel and major recipient of AIPAC funding, Booker told Texas delegates he’s no longer taking money from AIPAC and earlier this month, he voted for a resolution to block arms sales to Israel.

Booker, who ran for president in 2020, was repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestine protesters during his speech. Afterward, in an interview for the Texas Take Podcast, he acknowledged the issue had presented challenges for Democrats, but he pushed back against “the premise this is tearing our party apart.”

“There are definitely people who have strong views on this, but the number one thing people are bringing up to me is ‘I cannot afford health care, I cannot afford housing,’” he said.