Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), a Jewish Democratic lawmaker who recently announced his retirement, made waves Sunday by calling out what he views as a troubling rise of anti-Israel sentiment within the Democratic Party. Phillips, a former presidential candidate, didn’t mince words, arguing that this anti-Israel stance—expressed by influential progressive figures—borders on antisemitism and is contributing to the party’s recent electoral defeats. Phillips’ remarks were sparked by a social media post from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a prominent voice in the party’s progressive wing, who questioned the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Democratic lawmakers.
Ocasio-Cortez’s comment, posted on X (formerly Twitter), suggested that AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, has exerted “overly” strong influence on Congress, promoting a stance that alienates voters from the Democratic Party. Her assertion that AIPAC’s role may be a liability for Democrats has touched a nerve within the party, as many establishment and moderate Democrats increasingly question whether progressive positions, especially on foreign policy, are costing them votes. In her post, Ocasio-Cortez wrote, “If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats, then they should be discussing AIPAC.”
If people want to talk about members of Congress being overly influenced by a special interest group pushing a wildly unpopular agenda that pushes voters away from Democrats then they should be discussing AIPAC https://t.co/2o22CMMtqw
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 17, 2024
Phillips quickly responded, defending pro-Israel interests within the party and highlighting what he sees as a double standard. His rebuttal suggested that the influence of progressive factions—many of whom are openly critical of Israel’s policies—poses a greater political risk, even accusing them of advancing an “anti-semitic” agenda. By suggesting that anti-Israel sentiment in the Democratic Party is both “anti-pragmatic” and “anti-semitic,” Phillips voiced a growing concern among some moderate Democrats who believe the party’s leftward shift on Israel alienates mainstream voters.
This debate reflects an internal reckoning for Democrats following the 2024 election, where the party suffered significant setbacks. For months, some Democratic leaders and political analysts have argued that far-left activists and special interest groups hold too much sway over party policy, resulting in positions that don’t resonate with the broader electorate. Issues like Israel, where the progressive wing pushes for stronger criticism of Israeli policies, particularly regarding Palestine, illustrate this ideological divide. Mainstream Democrats argue that alienating pro-Israel voters, including many Jewish Americans who have traditionally supported the party, is a strategic misstep.
BREAKING: Democrat Congressman Dean Phillips calls out AOC and her antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/pHOIGVWq6r
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) November 18, 2024
Adding to the criticism, Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs—a left-leaning organization—also weighed in. Spitalnick, who had previously engaged with Ocasio-Cortez in a public dialogue about antisemitism, cautioned against singling out AIPAC. While she acknowledged the importance of discussing AIPAC’s influence, Spitalnick warned that focusing exclusively on AIPAC could reinforce dangerous antisemitic stereotypes. “There is a critical conversation to be had about AIPAC,” Spitalnick stated, “but so singularly focusing on them here—when there are a number of special interest groups that operate the same way—plays into dangerous tropes.”
The exchange illustrates the growing tensions over Israel within the Democratic Party, where a spectrum of views ranges from unwavering support for Israeli policy to deep criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in Palestine. For some moderates like Phillips, maintaining a pro-Israel stance is both a moral imperative and a political strategy to retain support from Jewish and moderate voters. For progressives, however, the emphasis is on holding allies accountable and advocating for human rights.
If your response to an election where your party lost ground with every minority group in the country – losing the popular vote and losing every swing State – and you blame it all on a pro Israel lobby group, you are unquestionably an Antisemite. https://t.co/CQrwQesUId
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) November 17, 2024
