Prominent Democrats considering a 2028 presidential run face a new litmus test: telling the public where they stand on America’s relationship with Israel.
As they check the boxes for 2028 by publishing books, visiting crucial primary states, and booking podcast interviews, here’s where some potential presidential contenders stand on Israel.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York
This week, Ocasio-Cortez told members of the Democratic Socialists of America that she would oppose all aid for Israel, including for defense, as confirmed by her chief of staff.
“I believe the Israeli government is well able to fund the Iron Dome system, which has proven critical to keep innocent civilians safe from rocket attacks and bombardment,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement afterward.
“Consistent with my voting record to date, I will not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and U.S. law.”
Kamala Harris
The former vice president and Democrat presidential nominee had to deal with the issue of providing aid to Israel in 2024. Harris attempted to distance herself from then-President Joe Biden’s policies while avoiding pressure from the party’s left flank to support an embargo on arms shipments to Israel.
Should Harris once again seek the presidency, she would likely face further questions about the U.S.-Israeli relationship.
Asked in an October 2025 interview whether she believed Israel had committed genocide, she did not directly answer the question.
“Listen, it is a term of law that a court will decide,” Harris said of the “genocide” label.
“But I will tell you that when you look at the number of children that have been killed, the number of innocent civilians that have been killed, the refusal to give aid and support, we should all step back and ask this question and be honest about it, yeah.”
Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois
Pritzker, who is Jewish, has denounced the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an organization that advocates American support for the state of Israel.
“It became an organization that was supporting [President] Donald Trump and people who follow Donald Trump,” Pritzker recently said. “AIPAC really is not an organization that I think today I would want any part of.”
Several Illinois Democrat candidates for the U.S. House criticized AIPAC by name in recent primaries.
Pritzker has also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing Trump of “simply following Netanyahu into” the conflict in Iran.
Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky
This week, Beshear, governor of the Bluegrass State since 2019, declined to label Israel’s military actions in Gaza “genocide” in an interview with Politico.
“That’s becoming one of those new litmus tests that we said we would never do as a party again,” Beshear told Politico of the genocide question.
“It’s trying to throw out a word and, ‘Are you going to raise your hand or are you not going to?’”
Beshear attempted to draw a fine line on the issue, arguing Israel’s defense of itself after Oct. 7, “could have been done without a lot of the suffering.”
The governor also advocated for “a future with an ally in Israel,” adding, “we need decision-makers there that are not acting the way [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania
Shapiro, who is Jewish, has pushed for a similarly pro-Israel, anti-Netanyahu stance.
“For those who begin by suggesting Israel doesn’t have the right to exist as a Jewish state, I think that is a recipe for permanent war,” he said in a recent appearance on Pod Save America.
Nevertheless, he has defended those who criticize Israel.
“I fundamentally disagree with your viewpoint, but I don’t think you’re an antisemite,” Shapiro said on the “Higher Learning” podcast of those who accuse Israel of “apartheid.”
He added, “I think that you are learning and struggling and grappling with issues that are really, really tough, and you formed an opinion, one that I disagree with, that you seemingly hold very honestly.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom of California
In a recent interview with Politico, Newsom attempted to stake out a position as a pro-Israel candidate but with qualifications.
Asked if he is a Zionist, Newsom replied, “I revere the state of Israel. I’m proud to support the state of Israel.”
He qualified, “I deeply, deeply oppose Bibi Netanyahu’s leadership [and] his opposition to the two-state solution and deeply oppose how he is indulging the far right as it relates to what’s going on in the West Bank.”
In a February interview, Newsom said he has never accepted money from AIPAC and “never will.”
