Inside the rise of Congress' unexpected Israel critics

Growing Criticism of Israel in Congress

Israel is facing a wave of intense criticism from some of the most vocal pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, as well as from certain Republicans. This shift comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, drawing attention and concern from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

The situation in Gaza has become a focal point for many members of Congress, who are increasingly aware of the public's growing indifference toward Israel. This has made it difficult for lawmakers to maintain an unwaveringly pro-Israel stance. Representative Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), a progressive advocate for Palestinian rights, expressed this sentiment to Axios, stating, "The public shifted quite a while ago. If the people lead, eventually, the leaders will follow." He added that images of starving children being shot have started to awaken some people's awareness.

A Shift in Republican Stance

One of the most notable developments in this context is the recent comments by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). In a post on X, she became the first Republican in Congress to describe the conflict in Gaza as a "genocide." While Greene has a history of making inflammatory remarks about Jews and the Holocaust, she has generally been a staunch supporter of Israel throughout her time in Congress. She even attempted to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) following the October 7 Hamas attacks due to Tlaib's criticisms of Israel.

However, Greene has recently aligned with Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) in opposing aggressive foreign policy in the Middle East. She criticized American and Israeli strikes on Iran last month, calling them unnecessarily provocative.

Trump's Influence and GOP Realignment

President Trump's decision to distance himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the issue of starvation in Gaza has created room for a realignment within the Republican Party. For years, "America First" nationalists have been skeptical of U.S. foreign aid, but Trump and others made an exception for Israel. This consensus has rapidly eroded over the past week.

Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), a Trump ally, stated in a post on X: "Everyone, regardless of politics, should support President [Trump] in his desire to immediately supply food to starving children and women in Gaza." Similarly, Representative Lance Gooden (R-Texas) emphasized the need to eliminate Hamas terrorists while also rejecting the killing and starvation of children in Gaza.

Internal Struggles Within Democratic Ranks

Representative Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) has faced backlash from pro-Israel allies for his support of Democratic New York mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani and for what critics say is a growing critique of Israel and its leadership. Torres, who has been one of the most consistently pro-Israel Democrats since the October 7 attacks, accused Netanyahu of aligning with the Republican Party in an interview with journalist Chuck Todd.

He also stated in a post on X: "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is morally unacceptable, and all parties, including the US and Israel, have a moral obligation to do their part in alleviating the hunger and hardship that have taken hold in Gaza."

Several of Torres' colleagues expressed surprise at his recent comments, but his office defended his position, pointing to past instances where he criticized Netanyahu and members of his government.

Evolving Perspectives on Humanitarian Aid

Even some pro-Israel House Democrats, while maintaining their support for humanitarian assistance to Gaza, have acknowledged the increasing urgency of the situation. One anonymous lawmaker said, "Many of us, if not all of us, have been consistent on humanitarian aid," but admitted that the situation has worsened and that American voters' approval of Israel has been declining.

Representative Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) noted, "I think what's changed is the crisis has just gotten worse, and it does require Israel to do even more," although he also stressed that the UN, Qatar, and Hamas must play a role as well.

The Impact of Public Opinion

Former Representative Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), who advocated for restricting U.S. arms shipments to Israel after the October 7 attacks, observed, "The reality of the images from Gaza are impossible to ignore." He added that public opinion reflects this reality, marking the most significant change in the current political landscape.