Support for Israel takes center stage in Michigan, Missouri Democratic primaries - analysis

Democratic primaries in Michigan and Missouri on Tuesday present a critical test for the evolving stance on Israel within the party, with results potentially indicating whether opposition to unconditional US military aid is gaining broader electoral traction.

In Michigan, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is actively campaigning to end unconditional US military aid to Israel, a position that aligns him with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and has drawn endorsements from figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. El-Sayed has linked US support for Israel to domestic economic concerns, framing the conflict in Gaza as a "cost-of-living issue" for American voters and arguing that taxpayer money should be prioritized for domestic needs like healthcare and education.

From an Israeli perspective, an El-Sayed victory would signify a significant shift, elevating a candidate who openly challenges the long-standing bipartisan consensus on military assistance to Israel. This could signal to other Democratic politicians that a more critical stance toward Jerusalem might be politically advantageous, even in a key swing state like Michigan. El-Sayed has also notably declined to explicitly recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.

His opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens, represents a more moderate faction of the Democratic Party and has received substantial backing from the Democratic establishment and pro-Israel organizations, including significant outside spending. The race in Missouri features former Rep. Cori Bush facing Rep. Wesley Bell, who previously unseated her with considerable support from AIPAC, further highlighting the internal party dynamics surrounding Israel policy.

“

cost-of-living issue