Inside the fight over Israel tearing Democrats on the Hill apart

A growing divide over Israel is creating significant tension within the Democratic Party on Capitol Hill, highlighted by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' silence after Rep. Dan Goldman was banned from a coffee shop over his pro-Israel views. This internal conflict was further exposed when 103 Democrats joined Republicans to block billions in aid to Israel, a vote that split even House Democratic leadership. Sen. John Fetterman warned he would leave the party if it adopted anti-Israel policies, stating, "If the Democratic Party becomes official anti-Israel, then that’s when I would force me out."

• Many Jewish Democrats, like Rep. Jared Moskowitz, express frustration, believing leadership is avoiding the issue of left-wing antisemitism.
• Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Greg Casar declared, "Nothing will be the same on this issue ever again, I think, after this vote."
• Some moderate Democrats, including Rep. Brad Schneider, argue that far-left candidates critical of Israel do not represent the party's future.
• Rep. Steve Cohen, who left the Progressive Caucus due to its shift, warned colleagues not to ignore the party's move away from traditional support for Israel.