Rahm Emanuel, former Chicago mayor and potential Democratic presidential candidate, is set to deliver a speech in Tel Aviv on Wednesday in which he will urge Israel to alter its current policies or risk damaging its relationship with the United States. According to draft remarks obtained in advance, Emanuel plans to characterize Israel as having become a “pariah” under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will call on all parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to adopt a new approach to peace.

Emanuel, who has deep personal ties to Israel and a history of involvement in Middle East diplomacy, intends to warn that the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance “is at a crossroads” and describe the current dynamic as unsustainable, given what he terms harsh Israeli treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. He will emphasize that the United States cannot continue to silently finance what he calls “that cynicism.”

In his planned address at Tel Aviv University, Emanuel will criticize both the Israeli government and Palestinian leadership, calling out the latter’s corruption while condemning Israel’s push for annexation of the West Bank. He dismisses the idea of a “Greater Israel” as “self-destructive and fanatical,” drawing a parallel to Palestinian calls for sovereignty “from the river to the sea.” He will warn that pursuing annexation could leave Israel isolated, stating, “America will not and cannot be complicit or complacent in that endeavor.”

Emanuel is expected to propose a three-pronged framework to address the conflict: formal diplomatic relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, a credible Palestinian authority instituted by those neighbors, and an end to American taxpayer funding of Israel’s defense budget. He argues that economic investment and cooperation in the region are critical components for lasting peace and security.

The former White House chief of staff and congressman has a long, complex history with Netanyahu, once clashing over West Bank settlements during the Obama administration. Emanuel says Netanyahu’s leadership has driven Israel into a “dead end” and foretold ongoing conflict if current policies continued. Despite the critique, Emanuel’s tone is one of “tough love,” rooted in his personal connection to Israel, including his family’s history there.

Emanuel also acknowledges Israel’s repeated offers of Palestinian sovereignty in exchange for security, which he says were rejected, framing the conflict as multifaceted. His trip and speech could signal the beginning of a nontraditional presidential campaign if he decides to run, with no announcement planned before the 2026 midterms.

Emanuel’s remarks come amid a broader shift in the Democratic Party’s stance toward Israel, intensified after the October 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza. The conflict has spurred debate within the party, with voters and politicians increasingly questioning traditional U.S. support for Israel. Several Democratic officials, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, have voiced critical views on Netanyahu’s policies, reflecting a growing intra-party divide.

As the 2028 presidential race approaches, potential Democratic contenders are facing heightened scrutiny over their positions on Israel, indicating the issue will remain a central and contentious element in U.S. politics.