On Wednesday, former Chicago mayor and potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate Rahm Emanuel expressed his belief that the U.S. should stop its unconditional aid to Israel during his trip to Tel Aviv.
In his candid remarks, he described the current U.S. stance as a “mistake,” suggesting that the nation has been “blindly and silently” supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Emanuel, at 66, contended that this unwavering backing has allowed Netanyahu to follow a “dead end” approach, one that he argues has exacerbated extremism within Israel.
He stated that this strategy has, in fact, made Israel increasingly isolated globally.
“We did you no good by turning a blind eye to your poor decisions,” Emanuel remarked.
“It’s obvious that strategic isolation isn’t a solid foundation for security; it’s more like a countdown clock.”
Coming from a notable Jewish background—his father was born in Jerusalem—Emanuel is among a growing number of Democrats voicing concerns about Israel to connect with their party’s base.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has also expressed similar sentiments as she contemplates another run in 2028.
Emanuel, a veteran of both the Obama and Clinton administrations, warned that the idea of a “Greater Israel,” which advocates for the annexation of parts of Gaza and the West Bank, is as extreme as the rallying cry of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
“Both are fantasies of fanatics,” he said. “Your government is complicit in the suffering of innocent families in the West Bank.”
He cautioned that such actions would diminish Israel’s international legitimacy during a period of economic vulnerability.
Support for Israel, as conveyed by Emanuel, has waned globally, particularly after recent conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, with polls indicating that Democrats are increasingly sympathetic to Palestinian perspectives.
He further asserted that Israel possesses enough resources to purchase military equipment from the U.S. instead of relying on aid packages like other allies do.
Netanyahu and his party have previously critiqued this assistance as a type of “welfare,” suggesting that the U.S. should shift to direct arms sales instead of massive defense aid.
Emanuel also condemned calls within Israel to annex more territories in the West Bank and Gaza.
Despite differing opinions, he advocated for reinstating Biden-era policies aimed at combating illegal settlements and violence against Palestinians in occupied territories.
However, he noted that the U.S. does not plan to abandon Israel, proposing a “23-state solution” to improve relations between Israel and its neighbors.
This approach suggests that Israel could gain recognition and diplomatic ties with all 22 members of the Arab League, with joint efforts directed towards establishing a Palestinian state.
“The political advantages for everyone will far exceed what a two-state solution could provide. But achieving this will necessitate some complex negotiations,” he stated.
While Emanuel touched lightly on the Israel-Iran conflict, he criticized President Trump’s decision to exit the nuclear agreement crafted during the Obama administration, pointing to it as a factor contributing to the ongoing instability in the Middle East.
