Gavin Newsom likens Israel to ‘an apartheid state’ and decries war on Iran
Governor Gavin Newsom described Israel as an apartheid state while promoting his memoir in Los Angeles, sparking debate over the United States’ military alliance with Israel. The remarks reflect growing Democratic unease ahead of the 2028 presidential race and midterm elections.
California Governor Gavin Newsom sparked a fresh political firestorm on Tuesday when, during a Los Angeles book‑promotion event, he called Israel an "apartheid state" and urged a national conversation about the United States’ military partnership with the Jewish nation. The comments came as Newsom, widely viewed as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, promoted his memoir Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery before a live audience that included the podcast host Jon Favreau of Pod Save America.
What Newsom Said and Why It Matters
When Favreau asked whether Washington should reconsider its strategic alliance with Israel, Newsom replied that the current Israeli leadership was steering the region toward a dangerous path. He said, "It breaks my heart, because the current leadership in Israel is walking us down that path, where I don’t think you have a choice about that consideration." He went on to link the issue to domestic concerns, noting that America was grappling with an affordability crisis and that the war in the Middle East was being fueled by “proxies, grift and corruption.”
Newsom cited New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, who had written that the ongoing conflict could boost Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s electoral prospects and deepen extremism, a scenario he described as “an apartheid state.” By invoking Friedman, Newsom positioned his criticism within a broader media conversation about Israel’s policies in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
Political Context and Public Opinion
The governor’s remarks arrive at a moment when American public opinion on Israel is shifting dramatically. A Gallup poll released in August showed that 41 % of U.S. adults now sympathize more with Palestinians than with Israelis—a historic reversal. Among Democratic voters, the gap is even wider: 65 % express greater empathy for Palestinians, while only 17 % side with Israel. The data suggest that support for Israel, once a bipartisan staple, is becoming a potential liability for Democrats as the 2024 midterm elections approach.
Within the Democratic Party, the Israel‑Palestine issue has already become a litmus test for progressive credentials. Lawmakers such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders have publicly condemned Israeli settlement expansion and called for conditional aid. Newsom’s comment aligns him with that growing faction, even as he tries to balance his long‑standing personal support for Israel with criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s tactics.
Newsom’s Track Record on Israel and Iran
Newsom is not new to questioning Israeli policy or U.S. involvement in the region. Earlier this month, during a separate interview, he accused former President Donald Trump of “doubling down on stupid” for pushing a direct military confrontation with Iran, describing the move as “weakness masquerading as strength.” In a January conversation with conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, Newsom distinguished his “love for Israel” from his “condemnation of Bibi,” acknowledging that images from Gaza could lead some observers to label Israeli actions as genocide, though he stopped short of endorsing that characterization.
These statements illustrate a pattern: Newsom is willing to publicly separate his personal affinity for Israel from his disapproval of specific policies, especially those he perceives as undermining U.S. interests or humanitarian standards. By framing his criticism as a matter of “American interest” and “affordability,” he attempts to root the debate in domestic policy concerns rather than pure foreign‑policy ideology.
Potential Political Fallout
As a possible 2028 presidential contender, Newsom’s remarks could have both strategic benefits and risks. On the one hand, they may energize progressive voters who demand a more critical stance toward Israel and could help him differentiate himself from more establishment‑leaning Democrats. On the other hand, the comments risk alienating pro‑Israel constituencies, including many Jewish voters and centrist Democrats who view the U.S.–Israel alliance as a cornerstone of national security.
Furthermore, the timing coincides with heightened scrutiny of U.S. arms sales to Israel and congressional debates over funding for the Iron Dome missile‑defense system. If Newsom continues to press for a reassessment of the partnership, he could become a focal point in upcoming hearings and possibly influence legislation that ties aid to human‑rights benchmarks.
What Comes Next?
Newsom’s statements are unlikely to shift U.S. policy overnight, but they add momentum to a growing chorus calling for a more nuanced approach to the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. Congressional committees are expected to hold hearings on the humanitarian impact of the Gaza war later this year, and several Democratic lawmakers have already introduced bills that would condition future aid on compliance with international law.
For Newsom, the next steps will involve navigating the fine line between appealing to progressive voters and maintaining relationships with key donors and political allies who remain staunchly pro‑Israel. How he balances those forces could shape his trajectory toward the 2028 Democratic nomination and influence the broader party debate on Middle‑East policy.
Why it matters
Newsom’s labeling of Israel as an apartheid state signals a shift among high‑profile Democrats, potentially reshaping U.S. foreign‑policy debates ahead of the 2028 presidential race and the 2024 midterms.
Key points
- Governor Gavin Newsom called Israel an apartheid state during a Los Angeles book event
- He urged a national conversation about the U.S.–Israel military partnership
- Polls show a historic swing in American public opinion toward Palestinian sympathy, especially among Democrats
- Newsom’s remarks align him with progressive Democrats but risk alienating pro‑Israel voters
- The comments add pressure on Congress to reconsider aid conditions for Israel
Frequently asked questions
What did Gavin Newsom say about Israel’s government?
He described Israel as an "apartheid state" and warned that its current leadership was leading the region toward a dangerous path.
Why is Newsom’s comment significant for U.S. politics?
It reflects growing Democratic unease about Israel, could influence the 2028 presidential primary, and may affect congressional debates on military aid.
How does public opinion on Israel differ between Democrats and the general public?
While 41 % of all Americans now sympathize more with Palestinians, 65 % of Democratic voters share that view, compared with only 17 % who side with Israel.
Has Newsom criticized Israel or its leaders before?
Yes, he has previously condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s tactics, questioned Trump’s push for war with Iran, and distinguished his personal support for Israel from criticism of its policies.
