2028 Democratic hopefuls try to seize narrative on Israel

Democrats eyeing the 2028 presidency are increasingly trying to seize the narrative on Israel, as they sense the politically fraught issue is likely to become a defining test for the party in its next presidential primary.

That dynamic came into sharper focus last week after House Democrats split over Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) amendment to cut all $3.3 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Israel from a spending bill — with 103 Democrats backing the proposal and 98 opposing it. 

The measure ultimately failed, with Massie the lone Republican to support it, but the vote marked the clearest sign yet of the Democratic Party’s growing divide over the issue.

As the party wrestles with rapidly shifting politics on Israel, prospective White House candidates are increasingly staking out their own lanes on the issue while seeking to shape the Democratic Party’s approach to the Jewish state going forward.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) has emerged as one of the most visible voices pushing that debate. He spent much of the past week making the media rounds to discuss his recent detainment in the West Bank.

Khana even joined Fox News for a contentious interview in which he was pressed over conflicting accounts of the incident and his decision not to coordinate his itinerary with the Israeli Embassy, as is customary for members of Congress visiting close U.S. allies.

“Did you really not know that going into a restricted military area, guarded by local security forces, was going to result in your entourage getting stopped?” Fox News host Gillian Turner asked.

He disputed the premise before interjecting: “If I could just finish, please, because this should be an outrage to any American citizen, what happened.”

Khanna drew on his experience in the West Bank when explaining his vote for the Massie amendment days later, noting the Israelis he encountered were carrying American rifles.

“America provided the aid........

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