California Governor Gavin Newsom Says Democrats Are Overwhelmingly Opposed to Netanyahu Government

California Governor Gavin Newsom stated in a PBS NewsHour interview that the Democratic Party is overwhelmingly opposed to the current regime in Israel. Newsom, who is viewed as a 2028 presidential hopeful, described the condemnation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as almost universal and called the war in Gaza a moral catastrophe, regardless of whether one views it as genocide. He further criticized the conduct of the Israeli military in Gaza and condemned settler violence in the West Bank, asserting that Netanyahu has been counterproductive to achieving a two state solution.

Newsom also addressed the Democratic Party's relationship with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). He claimed that a dramatic change has occurred over the last couple of years, stating that the vast majority of Democrats he speaks with are now pledging not to accept funds from the pro Israel lobbying group. He characterized this shift as a mainstream position within the party.

While Newsom maintained that the party is unified, he acknowledged that some rhetoric from individual candidates has been weaponized or falls on a spectrum of concern. He reiterated his support for a secure and democratic Israel and a secure and democratic Palestinian state. The governor previously visited Israel in October 2023 to meet with survivors of the October 7 attacks, which he described as horrific and unacceptable terrorism perpetrated by Hamas.