Hawaii primaries pose latest test for Democrats amid party split over Israel

Hawaii's Democratic primary is set to test the party's internal divisions over its stance on Israel, as incumbent U.S. Representative Ed Case faces a challenge from state Senator Jarrett Keohokalole.

Keohokalole, a younger and more progressive candidate, is calling for significant policy shifts, including limits on military aid to Israel. This issue has become a prominent theme in Democratic primaries nationwide, with several candidates critical of Israel achieving victories in other states. Case, a seasoned lawmaker, has a voting record that includes opposing a ban on security aid to Israel, though he has also expressed criticism of Israel's military response to the October 7th Hamas attack, citing the "severity, disproportionality, and the incredible tragedy of so many civilian deaths."

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I definitely did disagree with Israel’s response to the attack on Israel, the severity, the disproportionality, the incredible tragedy of so many civilian deaths.

Keohokalole has also targeted Case's ties to corporate interests, arguing he has lost touch with voters. He advocates for expanded government healthcare and aligns with a progressive wing of the party that expresses frustration with Democratic leadership perceived as too old, too aligned with Israel, and ineffective against Republican opposition.

Despite the ideological contest, the outcome in Hawaii's Honolulu-based district is unlikely to alter the balance of power in the House of Representatives, as the seat is considered safely Democratic. Case, who has held the seat since 2019 and previously served in the House, emphasizes his role in securing federal funding for Hawaii. However, Keohokalole's challenge reflects a broader trend of progressive candidates seeking to reshape the Democratic Party's platform on key foreign policy issues.

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I am a straight-up opponent of the current leadership of Israel.