The Democratic Party’s stance on Israel has undergone a significant shift over the past two years, with increasing debate about the extent of U.S. military aid to Israel. While the 2024 party platform highlighted President Joe Biden’s allocation of $14 billion in military assistance to Israel, some Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2028 are now considering a more cautious approach, including the potential elimination or reduction of such aid. Progressive members of the party are also pushing to halt most arms sales to the region. However, amid this evolving discourse on Israel, the party’s approach to Palestinian governance remains largely unexamined.
Critics argue that Democrats have yet to address Palestinian political realities, particularly the lack of democratic processes within the Palestinian Authority (PA). Mahmoud Abbas, the long-standing president of the PA and leader of Fatah, has maintained control over Palestinian institutions without holding elections since 2006. This has led to concerns about authoritarianism within Palestinian leadership, with calls emerging for the party to support the Palestinians’ right to elect their own leaders.
Rahm Emanuel, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, recently emphasized the need for Arab states to exert influence over Palestinian leadership while acknowledging the corruption of Palestinian authorities. However, he stopped short of endorsing Palestinian self-determination through elections, a stance some view as dismissive of Palestinians’ agency in determining their political future.
The last parliamentary elections in the Palestinian territories, held in 2006, resulted in a Hamas majority. The U.S. and international community subsequently pressured Hamas to meet conditions including the recognition of Israel and the renunciation of violence, demands Hamas partially rejected. Following these events, the Bush administration reportedly developed plans to undermine Hamas’s election victory through support for Fatah militias, efforts that failed and precipitated Hamas’s control over Gaza. In response, Abbas declared a state of emergency, suspending parliamentary functions and consolidating power, a status quo that has persisted for nearly two decades.
Experts such as Omar H. Rahman of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs highlight the consequences of this authoritarianism, noting that Palestinian leadership has become “weak yet highly repressive” and “unresponsive” to constituents. The U.S. and Israel have tacitly accepted Abbas’s rule, as a democratically elected leader might challenge ongoing Israeli occupation policies. When Abbas announced potential elections in 2021, the Biden administration did not openly support the initiative. Abbas eventually canceled the planned vote, citing Israeli restrictions on voting in East Jerusalem.
The prospect of meaningful Palestinian elections is further complicated by the imprisonment of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Fatah figure and popular political leader. Despite being convicted by Israeli courts on charges related to orchestrating attacks during the second intifada, Barghouti remains a highly favored candidate among Palestinians, polling significantly ahead of Abbas and Hamas leaders. Barghouti has publicly advocated for peaceful coexistence between Israel and a future Palestinian state.
Observers suggest that U.S. policymakers should prioritize supporting free and fair Palestinian elections, including advocating for Barghouti’s release. They also emphasize that allowing all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, to participate in elections is essential for credibility, even though this stance could provoke opposition from Israel’s supporters and certain American constituencies.
As the Democratic Party prepares for upcoming elections, there is increasing pressure for it to reconsider not only its policies related to Israel but also its approach to Palestinian governance and self-determination. Supporting the Palestinians’ right to freely choose their leaders could reshape the party’s Middle East policy and contribute to broader debates about peace and democracy in the region.