Democrats remain largely aligned in their opposition to President Donald Trump and the direction of his second-term agenda. Still, as party leaders gather in New Orleans for the Democratic National Committee’s spring meeting, familiar internal tensions are resurfacing—this time centered on Israel, U.S. military aid, and the influence of political lobbying groups.
During Thursday’s session, the DNC’s Resolutions Committee took up several proposals tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. These included measures supporting recognition of a Palestinian state, placing conditions on U.S. military assistance to Israel, and addressing concerns about the role of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and other organizations that channel large sums of money into Democratic primaries.
Not all of these efforts moved forward. The proposals dealing with military aid and Palestinian statehood were sent to the party’s Middle East Working Group for further discussion.
A separate resolution aimed specifically at AIPAC was voted down, though the committee did approve a broader statement criticizing the influence of dark money in elections. These were just a few of more than 100 resolutions under consideration, reflecting the wide range of issues currently dividing attention within the party.
The debate highlights a growing gap between party leadership and a more progressive base that has become increasingly critical of Israel. One DNC member, speaking privately, described some of the proposals as problematic, underscoring the sensitivity of the issue.
Similar disagreements surfaced at the party’s summer meeting last year, and there are signs that the divide has only deepened since then.
Recent polling helps explain why. Surveys show a noticeable shift in how Democratic voters view Israel, with unfavorable opinions rising sharply over the past few years.
Much of that change appears tied to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties, as well as its involvement in a broader regional conflict that has drawn scrutiny at home.
Some within the party argue that these developments have political consequences. There is a belief among certain Democrats that strong support for Israel may have contributed to setbacks in the 2024 elections, when the party lost control of key branches of government. Others, however, continue to back the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance and warn against policy changes they see as too drastic.
The tensions aren’t just theoretical—they’re shaping internal strategy. After a failed push last year for an arms embargo on Israel, DNC Chair Ken Martin introduced his own proposal focused on humanitarian aid and a two-state solution, then created a working group to keep discussions going. That group is set to meet again during this week’s gathering.
