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The Israel debate reshaping Jewish American politics
“There are plenty of people who believe, as I do, that Israel has a right to protect itself,” says David to Lauren, both pictured below, over the dinner table. Subscribe “How does starving children protect Israel?” she replies. “I don’t think Israel is intentionally starving children.” “It’s a little bit absurd to be sitting here talking about all of these very specific things,” Lauren says, “as opposed to looking at the totality of him as a candidate, and the 90% of things that you agree with him on.” This is a snapshot from a conversation between a Jewish father and daughter in Michigan ahead of the crucial Senate race. Lauren supports the Democratic candidate, Abdul El-Sayed. Her father is undecided. That is mainly because of El-Sayed’s stance on Israel, one that mirrors a growing wing of the party that has become critical of the US-Israel relationship following the war in Gaza. You’re reading FourSight, a newsletter from Channel 4 News’ expert journalists explaining the complexities of the biggest global stories Could that alienate Jewish American voters who have a strong connection to Israel - and the majority of whom have voted Democratic? A shifting stance on Israel “An ally that takes your money to push you into wars you shouldn’t be fighting is not an ally,” El-Sayed recently told ABC News, referring to the Iran war and how some Americans believe that Israel pushed President Trump into the conflict. Foreign policy has become an economic issue that’s hitting Americans’ pockets, with the soaring cost of petrol and diesel. El-Sayed, pictured below, has opposed military aid for Israel and accused the nation of genocide in Gaza. That led to the pro-Israel lobby group, AIPAC, funding his opponent, Hayley Stevens, to the tune of $30m during the Democratic primary here. “I frequently criticise AIPAC because I think the way that they are pouring dollars into defeating Abdul and others around the country… is really corrosive to American democracy,” Brad Lander says at a canvassing event in Detroit. Lander, a Jewish Democratic congressional candidate in New York, is an ally of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and has come to campaign for El-Sayed. “Democrats and Americans don’t want to keep paying for Netanyahu’s wars,” he says. “They want a reset in the US relationship with Israel.” The 2026 election has clearly been a bruising one for AIPAC; the Wall Street Journal reported that, in an unpublished letter, the group described the cycle as one of the “most challenging environments in recent memory”. Share And significantly, after the midterms, the group will stop direct contributions to candidates through one of its political action committees. Voters’ concerns We followed a group of Jewish canvassers around one suburb in Detroit. They think that among the 130,000 Jewish voters in Michigan, between 20 and 30,000 are undecided. In a swing state where El-Sayed beat his primary rival by just 13,000, that could prove pivotal. We meet one voter, Jen Friedman, pictured below, who has a “Democrats for Rogers” sign, referring to the Republican candidate. The issue of Israel is very important to her because “having a safe haven is crucial”, she tells me. “What I see is one candidate, Mike Rogers, who is associating himself with people who are very proudly American,” says Jen. “Abdul, on the other hand, is associating with people who say they are anti-American.” Friedman raises two issues. Firstly, Hasan Piker, a left-wing streamer who has campaigned alongside El-Sayed and has been criticised for his comments on the US and Israel. [ ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/who-is-hasan-piker-the-socialist) [ Why Hasan Piker thinks the US needs a socialist Trump ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/who-is-hasan-piker-the-socialist) Anushka Asthana · Aug 19 [ Read full story ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/who-is-hasan-piker-the-socialist) The other concern regards an attack on a Michigan synagogue back in March. The FBI said the man was inspired by Hezbollah and had lost relatives in an Israeli airstrike on Lebanon. El-Sayed condemned the antisemitic attack, but also said “hurt people hurt people”. That upset many here, with El-Sayed apologising numerous times for his choice of language. Jews for Abdul As we follow the canvassers, there are still plenty of lawn signs supporting El-Sayed. Elissa Driker, pictured below, runs out of her house wearing a “Jews for Abdul” t-shirt. “I feel like the values that Abdul has align with how I live my Judaism,” she tells me. She says “Abdul is not Hasan Piker, so I don’t conflate them”. I ask why Piker keeps coming up. “It gets weaponised. I don’t know if you watched the debate the other night, but talk about… weaponising fear and weaponising anxiety and all that Islamophobic dog-whistling that was coming towards Abdul.” I also talk to Elissa about how Americans more broadly appear to be questioning the US-Israel relationship and whether American Jews were ready to do that too. “A lot of American Jews are. My experience is absolutely the tide is turning.” For the first time, Gallup found this year that Americans now sympathise more with the Palestinians than the Israelis. In another poll of Jewish American voters, 65% said they were pro-Israel but also critical of Israeli government policies, 52% support cutting or eliminating aid to Israel. Father and daughter Back at the dinner table, I bring up those polls with David Fink. Why does he think Americans sympathise less with Israelis? [ ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-support-for-israel-in-us-is-declining) [ How support for Israel in US is declining ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-support-for-israel-in-us-is-declining) Kiran Moodley · May 4 [ Read full story ](https://channel4news.substack.com/p/how-support-for-israel-in-us-is-declining) “Because the news media and the extremes of both parties are so willing to tell what I think is a false narrative.” Lauren chimes in: “Do you really think the actions of Israel have nothing to do with the shift in the sympathies?” “I think that’s very relevant,” he replies. “I just don’t think that people really have a full understanding.” Lauren again: “It sounds like you’re saying that the shift is due to how the atrocities are being described, as opposed to what the actual atrocities are.” “There have been some things that shouldn’t have happened,” David says. “I think the polling is being driven by politicians who are taking advantage of this issue.” Lauren then asks, “I’m curious what your response would be if my children were killed in an Israeli airstrike and someone said there have been some things that shouldn’t have happened?” A long pause from her father. “Any reference to my grandchildren has a very deep emotional impact on me. Well done,” he says. “I have an empathy for any civilian in war and I don’t mean to belittle those losses. The loss of any one life is a horrible thing. But it doesn’t make it a war crime and it doesn’t make it genocide.” Lauren and David cannot agree but tell me how proud they are of one another for sticking to their convictions and for agreeing to let me sit in on their conversation. I cannot thank them enough for their time, and hope their honesty informs and educates many people during such a fraught election. Abdul El-Sayed: The candidate testing the US - Israel relationship Thanks for reading our latest FourSight newsletter. Subscribe to receive free weekly newsletters from Channel 4 News. Subscribe Share Channel 4 News Leave a comment
Brad Lander detained by IDF in the West Bank during olive harvest
The congressional candidate previously said he was traveling to the West Bank in solidarity with Palestinian farmers.
New York congressional candidate Brad Lander says he was detained by IDF in the West Bank
Lander, the former New York City comptroller, wrote in a post on X that he was detained by the Israeli Defense Forces while harvesting olives with other volunteers.
NYC Comptroller walks back pledge to buy Israel bonds
Levine made the pledge after former Comptroller Brad Lander declined to renew the investments.
Democratic congressional nominee Brad Lander faces anti-Israel hecklers at New York protest
Brad Lander, a Democratic congressional nominee in New York City, faced heckling Saturday over his stance on Israel as he protested a Hindu nationalist politician speaking at Madison Square Garden.
Can a pro-Israel Jewish Democrat be the party’s 2028 nominee? Hear what progressive House candidate Brad Lander thinks
Clean sweep for Mamdani-backed candidates in New York's Democratic primary
Brad Lander unseats Dan Goldman in a race that laid bare the city's divisions over the Israel-Gaza war.
Brad Lander projected to win 10th Congressional District Democratic primary
The district covers Lower Manhattan and part of Brooklyn from downtown to Park Slope.
What’s at Stake on a Blockbuster NYC Election Day
Tuesday is make or break for everyone from Jack Schlossberg to Brad Lander and will serve as a major test of Zohran Mamdani’s clout.
Candidates make closing arguments in race for NY-10
Incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman faces Mamdani ally Brad Lander.
Labor unions rally behind Rep. Goldman
Dan Goldman is fighting for his political future against former City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Judge acquits Democratic congressional candidate arrested at New York immigration court protest
Federal prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Brad Lander obstructed an elevator as he sat in front of it for 20 to 25 minutes in September.
Goldman and Lander trade barbs in primary debate
Rep. Dan Goldman and his challenger, Brad Lander, each accused the other of political expediency.
Full Debate: Dan Goldman, Brad Lander go head-to-head in NY-10 debate
The district includes parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Full Debate: Dan Goldman, Brad Lander go head-to-head in NY-10 debate
The district includes parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The Race to Be the Face of Manhattan Is Extremely Tight
New polling shows a close contest between Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Downtown, Brad Lander may be on the brink of a landslide.
Proxy war among top Democrats spills in NY-10 primary
Rep. Dan Goldman rallied with Gov. Kathy Hochul and labor unions Monday as he fends off a primary challenge from former City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Mamdani Takes Health Fund Audit 'Seriously' as Insolvency Reverberates
The audit from Comptroller Brad Lander, concluding the joint union-City Hall insurance fund owes billions of dollars to the city, is applauded by fiscal watchdogs and advocates who have long decried deals they say ripped off retirees and taxpayers.
Explosive Audit Urges Dissolving Insolvent City Employee Health Fund
The review by Comptroller Brad Lander finds the joint city and municipal union fund owes billions to the city following contract deals that aimed to save money on health care.
Goldman on Lander challenge: ‘Politics will have to wait ’til 2026′
Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday declined to comment on New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s (D) decision to challenge him in the party primary, instead homing in on legislative tasks to c…
Brad Lander, a Mamdani ally, challenges Rep. Dan Goldman in Democratic primary with mayor-elect’s backing
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launched his bid for New York’s 10th congressional district Wednesday, challenging Rep. Dan Goldman in what is expected to be a heated primary in one of the city’s most left-leaning districts.
New York City Faces Record High Youth Mental Health Crisis: Comptroller Lander’s Report
New York, NY — Under resourced New York City Public Schools are facing a growing youth mental health crisis, according to a new report from New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. With close to 40% of New York City high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness, Comptroller Lander’s report...