Politics · United States · 5 hrs ago
Democrats shift positions on Israel and transgender rights ahead of midterms
Some Democratic candidates are changing their positions on Israel and transgender rights in competitive races for Congress.
The shifts come as the party tries to recover after Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
Democratic voters have grown more critical of Israel: a Pew survey cited in the story found 80 percent of Democrats had an unfavourable view of the country.
Forty Democratic senators backed a motion opposing proposed military sales to Israel, while seven voted with Republicans to block it.
Some candidates are also distancing themselves from support for transgender rights, particularly transgender students’ participation in school sports.
These changes reflect divisions between moderates and progressives, and between candidates responding to local voters and party leaders.
The debate may shape Democrats’ efforts to regain control of Congress in the midterm elections, though party leaders are expected to resist some calls for change.
Some Democratic candidates in competitive US midterm races are changing their positions on Israel and transgender rights.
The shifts reflect voter concerns and growing divisions within the party as it seeks to regain control of Congress.
On Israel, some Democrats are calling for a reassessment of US policy and greater accountability for the Israeli government.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has said the US commitment to Israel’s security and defense must remain “ironclad”.
Some candidates have downplayed support for transgender rights, particularly on transgender students’ participation in school sports.
- Who
- Democratic candidates in competitive US House and Senate races, along with party leaders.
- What
- Some candidates are reassessing positions on Israel and transgender rights ahead of the midterms.
- When
- The article was published on October 24, 2026. It says the midterms are next month.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- Candidates are responding to voter concerns, while divisions within the party have grown.
Progressive Democrats calling for a reassessment of US policy on Israel
Democratic leadership defending the existing US commitment to Israel
Israel policy
Progressive Democrats calling for a reassessment of US policy on Israel
Some Democrats want a “thorough reexamination” of the US-Israeli relationship, and some support sanctions on Israel’s prime minister.
Democratic leadership defending the existing US commitment to Israel
Schumer says the US commitment to Israel’s security and defense must be “ironclad”.
Hamas carried out attacks on Israel, after which Israel launched its war in Gaza.
Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the US presidential election.
Forty Democratic senators voted for a motion disapproving proposed military sales to Israel.
Chris Coons told Politico he wanted a thorough reexamination of the US-Israeli relationship.
- US adults with an unfavourable opinion of Israel
- 60 percent, according to a Pew Research Center survey
- US Democrats with an unfavourable opinion of Israel
- 80 percent, according to the same survey
- Democratic senators supporting a motion disapproving proposed military sales to Israel
- 40
- Democratic senators voting with Republicans to block the motion
- 7
- Ohio
- Representative Marcy Kaptur ran an advertisement saying boys should not play in girls’ sports.
What people are saying
thorough reexamination
commitment to Israel’s security and defense must be ironclad
Boys should not play in girls’ sports
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Trans voter to @AOC: Trans people in America feel like they've been abandoned by the Democratic Party, that we are a losing issue, that it's not worth defending us. What do you say to that? AOC: