Democrats are divided over Israel as competitive midterm races approach, with candidates weighing how strongly to support the Israeli government, call for a ceasefire, or criticise US policy. The disagreement matters because it tests the party’s ability to hold together voters with sharply different views of the war and could affect turnout, fundraising and primary contests.

The debate is particularly acute among progressives, many younger voters and some Arab American communities, while other Democrats stress Israel’s security and the importance of longstanding US-Israel ties. The article presents the issue as a difficult electoral calculation: candidates must respond to constituents’ concerns about the conflict without alienating other parts of the Democratic coalition.