The Politico report noted that how Democrats speak about Israel “is bound to be a litmus test in battleground Democratic primaries next year.”
There has been a shift in moderate Democrats’ “tone” on Israel in the US as Tel Aviv continues its genocidal assault on the Gaza Strip, according to a Politico report.
An example is that of New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, whom the report described as one of the Democratic Party’s most ardent Zionists.
Dem Rep. Ritchie Torres — an ardent Zionist — is now questioning Israel as images of starving Palestinian children shock the world.
It signals how moderate Dems are backing off the unqualified support for Israel that’s underscored the party for decades. https://t.co/XAZ8uMJ6AK
— POLITICO (@politico) August 4, 2025
Torres said in an interview last week that “All parties, including the U.S. and Israel, have a moral obligation to do everything in our power to ease the hardship and hunger that’s taken hold in the Gaza Strip.”
He, however, added, “I feel it’s possible to be an unapologetic Zionist while at the same time recognizing there’s a crisis in Gaza and recognizing the war has poorly defined strategic objectives.”
His statements come as moderate Democrats, “who have long resisted pressure to reject Zionism on their left flank, are increasingly speaking out against Israel’s actions in Gaza as they react to anger among constituents ahead of the midterms next year,” the report stated.
‘Erosion of Support’
Torres also reportedly said that “if there is an erosion of support for Israel in the United States, that’s not something the Israeli government should take lightly.”
Last week, a vote on two resolutions from Senator Bernie Sanders to block the sale of arms to Israel – although it failed – showed a growing number of Democrats opposed to weapons sales.
Israel is Concerned of a Crisis in Its Global Standing, Especially with the US
In addition, the latest Gallup poll found that 60 percent of Americans now disapprove of Israel’s military action in Gaza, along with 52% who view the Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu unfavorably – his highest unfavorable rating since 1997, according to the latest Gallup poll.
Independents (25%) and Democrats (8%) currently register “their lower readings to date.” This is in contrast to 71% of Republicans who approve of Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
‘Litmus Test’
The Politico report noted that how Democrats speak about Israel “is bound to be a litmus test in battleground Democratic primaries next year.”
It quoted another Democrat, Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz, as saying that “Everybody, left, right and center should react viscerally against starvation imposed by another government.”
‘Worst Ratings’: Israel, Netanyahu Face Record Low US Support amid Gaza Genocide
He added, “Whatever one’s views about this war, this is beyond the pale and unacceptable, and it does nothing to make Israel safe, or Israelis safe, or Jews safe.”
The report cited some former Biden administration officials as blaming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for hurting Israel’s credibility with Democrats in the US.
‘Tough Questions’
Ned Price, who served as State Department spokesperson and deputy to the US Ambassador to the United Nations during the Biden administration, said “Bibi’s prosecution of this war has, I think, made this shift in many ways irreversible.”
Over 90 House Democrats Demand Probe into Gaza Humanitarian Foundation
Another, speaking on condition of anonymity, reportedly said a majority of Democratic senators “voting to block weapons sales to Israel was unimaginable ‘even a few months ago’ and speaks to ‘how badly Netanyahu has played this.’”
The report also cited Chris Coffey, a New York-based consultant and longtime Torres ally, as saying that when Torres, “who is arguably the most pro-Israel Democrat in the country and certainly in New York, are asking tough questions then it’s going to cause there to be some reflection and some ripples.”
Staggering Death Toll
Since Israel’s reneging on the ceasefire on March 18, it has killed and wounded thousands of Palestinians throughout the Gaza Strip through a bloody and ongoing aerial bombardment.
On October 7, 2023, following a Palestinian Resistance operation in southern Israel, the Israeli military launched a genocidal war against the Palestinians, killing over 60,000, wounding more than 147,000, with over 14,000 still missing.
The Israeli army continued its attacks on famine-stricken Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday, killing at least 56 people since dawn, including 17 aid-seekers, in a series of airstrikes and ground bombardments, according to medical sources.
Meanwhile, with 18,000 children… pic.twitter.com/4G7auyJBoQ
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) August 4, 2025
Despite habitual condemnation by many countries around the world of the Israeli genocide, little has been done to hold Israel accountable.
Israel is currently under investigation for the crime of genocide by the International Court of Justice, while accused war criminals — including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — are now officially wanted by the International Criminal Court.
The Israeli genocide has been largely defended, supported, and financed by Washington and a few other Western powers.
(The Palestine Chronicle)
Torres unapologetic Zionist: “moral obligation to do everything in our power to ease the hardship and hunger that’s taken hold in the Gaza Strip” — Biden/Trump and “Israel” created this “hardship and hunger”! It’s not just “hardship and hunger” but it is genocide! And “poorly defined strategic objectives” was clearly defined strategic objectives! The objective was genocide! And Schatz: “… starvation imposed by another government blah blah blah does nothing to make Israel safe, or Israelis safe, or Jews safe.” Schatz wouldn’t DARE give a word about Palestinians. It’s always about Jews, Jews, Jews, the eternal Victim/Victimizer. Vomit inducing.