Democrats' slow shift on Gaza; symbolic or a step forward?: NYT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The New York Times
8 Aug 2025 15:09

US Senator Amy Klobuchar joins Democrats in voting to block arms to "Israel": Does this mean the Democratic Party is finally making a significant shift in its stance on Gaza?

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Raed Salem Aslyieh hugs his relatives after the death of his son, Ahmed Raed Aslyieh, 18, who succumbed to injuries sustained in an Israeli strike that killed eight other family members, at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP)

A recent vote in the US Senate signaled a notable shift within the Democratic Party regarding its stance on the ongoing war in Gaza. Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, a senior figure in the party and former presidential contender, voted in favor of resolutions seeking to block the transfer of key offensive weapons to "Israel".

According to Lydia Polgreen, an opinion columnist for the New York Times, the move is seen as a significant departure from the traditionally pro-"Israel" position held by most top Democrats. In her opinion piece "Democrats Are Finally, Slowly, Changing Their Minds on Israel," she reflects on recent decisions made by Democrats in opposition to the Israeli war on genocide, indicating their divergence from Washington's long-standing and unrelenting support for "Israel".

The resolutions, introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, aimed to halt shipments of 1,000-pound bombs and automatic weapons to "Israel" amid its ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Although the measures ultimately failed due to unified Republican opposition and many Democrats voting against them, Klobuchar's support, alongside 24 other Democrats and two independents, marked what observers are calling a growing rift between Democratic leaders and their voter base.

'A rare moment'

Klobuchar, who recently appeared in a photo alongside Benjamin Netanyahu during a bipartisan Senate delegation visit, faced scrutiny for standing with a leader wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and accused by rights groups of committing genocide in Gaza.

In a statement explaining her vote, Klobuchar said she participated in the meeting to advocate for humanitarian aid and an end to Palestinian displacement, but was dissatisfied with the response she received.

“I’ve supported military assistance to Israel in the past, and I believe Israel has a right to defend itself. But at this moment in time it’s crucial that the Israeli government must do more to alleviate the urgent humanitarian crisis,” she said.

While her statement did not directly condemn "Israel’s" actions, her vote, according to Polgreen, marked a rare moment where a high-ranking Democratic leader aligned with growing public discontent over US policy on Gaza. Recent polling by Gallup found that only 8% of Democrats support "Israel’s" war, a sharp decline following its escalation of aggression in the Palestinian territory.

Other prominent Democrats in the photo with Netanyahu, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senators from California, New Jersey, Delaware, and Washington have largely continued to back military aid. Klobuchar stood alone among them in voting to restrict weapon transfers.

Mounting criticism of 'Israel's' conduct in Gaza

The vote came as humanitarian organizations and international experts continue to accuse "Israel" of pursuing a campaign of mass destruction and starvation in Gaza. According to Gaza’s health authorities, over 60,000 people have been killed, including at least 18,000 children, since the war began. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced, and entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble.

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel recently described the destruction of Gaza’s medical infrastructure as “a deliberate, cumulative dismantling,” warning of an intentional effort to collapse the enclave’s ability to survive. Similarly, B’Tselem, one of "Israel's" leading human rights groups, labeled the military campaign “a clear and explicit attempt to destroy Palestinian society in Gaza.”

Since ending a temporary ceasefire in March, "Israel" has restricted humanitarian aid to Gaza for over two months, contributing to widespread famine. Aid distribution has reportedly been controlled through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an opaque network involving private security contractors, forcing residents to cross active combat zones in search of basic necessities. According to the United Nations, over 1,000 people have been killed during these chaotic distributions.

In a recent plea, Cindy McCain, director of the UN World Food Program, called on "Israel" to allow greater land access for aid, writing, “We can’t airdrop our way out of an unfolding famine. Gaza is out of food and out of time.”

Growing divide between Democratic leaders and base

The gap between Democratic voters and party leadership on Palestine appears to be widening. Despite the continued support for "Israel" by many senior Democrats, public opinion among the party’s base has shifted dramatically in light of the war’s civilian toll and the use of US-funded weapons in the destruction of Gaza.

Observers note that the votes by Klobuchar and several Democratic committee heads, including those overseeing foreign relations, defense, and appropriations, could reflect rising pressure from within the party. Some of these senators, like Jon Ossoff of Georgia, face competitive reelection campaigns in 2026, and are increasingly sensitive to the evolving views of their constituencies.

Others, like Senator Cory Booker, another potential future Democratic leader, have continued to support military assistance to "Israel" despite criticism for not addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza more directly. Booker, who delivered a 25-hour speech in March denouncing Trump’s policies, reportedly made only passing references to Gaza and did not oppose recent arms transfers.

As the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza deepens and accusations of genocide continue to surface, pressure is mounting on US lawmakers to rethink their longstanding alliance with "Israel."

For now, votes like Klobuchar’s remain symbolic, but they suggest a potential recalibration within Democratic leadership, a response to growing demands from the party’s base for accountability and a change in policy.