Will Kamala Harris’s Middling Israel Support Be a High-Water Mark for Democratic Presidential Nominees?

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to address challenges like the economy and immigration, Democrats face a critical juncture post-2024 election. With mounting criticism of Israel from the left and growing anti-Israel activism on college campuses, the Democratic Party grapples with balancing its hard-left activist base and the broader pro-Israel sentiment among voters.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent losses in battleground states underscore these challenges. With no clear successor or front-runner emerging for the 2028 election, speculation grows about whether Democrats might nominate a candidate indifferent—or even hostile—to Israel’s position in global affairs.

Harris’s Approach and the Party’s Dilemma

Following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, which killed 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, Harris faced sharp criticism for her attempt to balance party factions.

“I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself,” Harris said during a debate with Trump, adding, “How it does so matters.” This middle-ground approach alienated both staunch Israel supporters and left-wing critics.

Support for Israel Among Democrats

Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, disagreed with claims of declining Democratic support for Israel. “I don’t think we saw tempering even in this past election cycle,” she said. Soifer highlighted the party’s detailed platform on Israel and antisemitism, pointing to significant support from pro-Israel Democrats like Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA) and Brad Schneider (D-IL).

“We’re going to have a strong pro-Israel candidate in 2028 because the Democratic Party is strongly pro-Israel,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

Conflicting Signals

Despite ousting anti-Israel representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Cori Bush (D-MO) in primary challenges, internal divisions persist. Senate Democrats have elevated members who previously supported an Israeli arms embargo, reflecting the tension between the party’s mainstream and progressive wings.

Notably, Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-VT) leadership role as Democratic outreach chair and internal criticism of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) over his stance on Israel highlight ongoing party fractures.

Prospects for 2028

Looking to the future, Democratic leaders like Govs. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Wes Moore (D-MD), and Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) could represent strong pro-Israel contenders in 2028. However, Mark Mellman of the Democratic Majority for Israel emphasized the importance of maintaining a centrist message on Israel, warning against giving undue influence to fringe voices.

Conversely, Republican Jewish Coalition director Sam Markstein warned of potential shifts. “Democrats are on the precipice of nominating an anti-Israel candidate,” he argued, pointing to incidents like Wisconsin Party Chairman Ben Wikler advocating for the inclusion of anti-Israel voices in party events.

As the next election looms, Democrats face the dual task of maintaining traditional pro-Israel policies while navigating increasing internal polarization on the issue.