Aipac over affordability: Democratic candidates come under fire for support of Israel

"At a Thanksgiving gathering with voters, another candidate in the same race fielded questions about affordability but also about moral leadership when it came to Israel's war in Gaza. A third candidate vying for the same seat devoted much of his campaign's launch video to lambasting the current member of Congress representing the district over the funding he's received from the pro-Israel lobby."

"The incumbent in question congressman Ritchie Torres is one of the most staunchly pro-Israel advocates in Congress. Dalourny Nemorin, one of his challengers for the Democratic nomination to represent the district calls him the poster boy for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or Aipac. Ritchie Torres cares more about Bibi than he does about the Bronx, Michael Blake, another challenger, said in the launch video."

"Public perceptions of Israel have soured after two years of its war on Gaza, and the historic election of Zohran Mamdani has proved that reflexive support for Israel once viewed as a prerequisite for political viability may no longer be a safe bet. Across the country, candidates who are openly critical of Israel including a record number who are of Palestinian descent are entering local, state and federal races, donning keffiyehs and denouncing genocide in campaign materials."

Multiple Democratic challengers in a Bronx congressional race are criticizing incumbent Ritchie Torres for strong pro-Israel positions and AIPAC ties, framing his priorities as favoring Israeli leadership over local constituents. Voter conversations at campaign events have linked aid to Israel with moral leadership and affordability concerns. Public perceptions of Israel have soured after two years of its war on Gaza. The election of Zohran Mamdani signaled that automatic support for Israel may no longer guarantee political viability. Across the country, openly critical candidates, including many of Palestinian descent, are entering races and using visible pro-Palestinian symbolism.

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