California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has his eyes set on the 2028 presidential race, took a stronger stance than ever against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a weekend interview that explored the Democratic Party’s ties with Israel.
“I think it’s overwhelmingly opposed to the current regime in Israel,” Newsom remarked about the party in an interview with Amna Nawaz on PBS News Hour.
When pressed by Nawaz about divisions among his peers regarding Israel, Newsom insisted that the issue is “even controversial anymore,” emphasizing that “the condemnation of what Bibi Netanyahu’s doing is almost universal.” He criticized the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza and denounced the rising settler violence in the West Bank.
“We want a democratic and secure Israel, and we want a secure and democratic Palestinian state as well right next door,” Newsom stated, noting that Netanyahu has hindered efforts toward achieving a two-state solution.
While he consistently claimed that Democrats are united on Israel, the governor recognized that “some of the language” used by fellow Democrats “has been weaponized.” Certain “aspects of rhetoric” from some candidates are on “the spectrum of concern,” he added.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks at a meeting with voters and local leaders while campaigning for Democrats ahead of the midterm elections in West Columbia, South Carolina, US, September 4, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/SAM WOLFE)
A faction within the party’s far left assigns most if not all responsibility to Israel for a war in Gaza that has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths while minimizing Hamas’s role in starting hostilities with their October 7th raid into Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 abductions.
Newsom’s statements align with moderate party members who criticize Netanyahu’s government but advocate for a safe Israel while rejecting Hamas and resisting pressure from more progressive elements to label Israeli actions as “genocide.”
Nevertheless, Newsom maintained that there is consensus within the party on this topic. “But I think universally, everyone agrees, even if you don’t think it’s genocide, that it’s been a moral catastrophe,” he remarked regarding the situation in Gaza. “The vast majority of us also agree about the atrocities on October 7th and how horrific and unacceptable it was, as well as the terrorism perpetrated by Hamas.”
Newsom among many US politicians to visit Israel
Newsom was one among several U. S. politicians who traveled to Israel in October 2023 to meet survivors and families affected by recent attacks.
During a book tour in March, Newsom faced backlash when he mentioned some individuals were labeling Israel “appropriately as sort of an apartheid state.” He later clarified these comments to Politico saying he had used this term based on “the direction that Bibi is going.”
“I revere the state of Israel,” he asserted at that time.
However, he cautioned that if Netanyahu moves forward with plans for West Bank annexation, apartheid could become “a word you may hear others use.”
In addition to intensifying his criticism of Netanyahu this past weekend, Newsom spoke about how fewer Democrats are accepting contributions from political action committees linked to AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), which supports pro-Israel lobbying efforts.
As for himself personally, Track AIPAC-an organization tracking campaign contributions tied to pro-Israel stances-did not record any donations made to him as a potential presidential candidate. However, they did categorize him as “pro-Israel.”
“It’s a minority of Democrats who are taking AIPAC funds,” said Newsom while pointing out a “dramatic change” over recent years.
“The vast majority of Democrats I talk to-even those who have previously accepted AIPAC money-are now pledging not to do so,” he continued. “That reflects more mainstream views within our Democratic Party.”
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