House Democrats with strong pro-Israel records are stepping into influential roles on the Foreign Affairs Committee, a move that underscores the party's internal struggle over Middle East policy as the war in Gaza continues to reshape political loyalties.
On Tuesday, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) was named ranking member of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee. Moskowitz, who recently defeated a progressive primary challenger backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, has been a vocal supporter of Israel. His challenger had campaigned on ending U.S. military aid to Israel and called the Gaza war a genocide.
"At a moment of enormous change across the region, I'll work to strengthen America's relationships with Israel and our Gulf allies, expand regional peace, advance American diplomacy, and ensure our foreign policy is grounded in strength, security, and reality," Moskowitz wrote on X. "I'm ready to get to work."
Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.) is set to become ranking member of the Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee. Jackson has walked a delicate line: he accepts campaign donations from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) but has been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies toward Palestinians. He has also sponsored legislation to restrict arms transfers to Israel.
Another staunchly pro-Israel Democrat, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), is joining the Oversight and Intelligence Subcommittee. Wasserman Schultz, who won a competitive primary in a newly drawn, majority-Black district, has received $1.5 million from pro-Israel PACs over her career, according to Track AIPAC.
Rep. Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), who also defeated a progressive primary challenger and has AIPAC backing, is joining the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee.
But not all new Democratic members are aligned with the pro-Israel camp. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wash.), a former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is joining the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee. Pocan is a vocal critic of Israel and voted for an amendment to cut $3.3 billion in military funding for Israel. That measure failed, but the vote revealed a deep split within the party, with 103 Democrats in favor and 98 against.
The war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The conflict has significantly eroded Israel's standing among Democrats. A recent Pew survey found that 72% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents view Palestinians positively, compared to just 26% who view Israel positively. Only 12% have a favorable view of the Israeli government.
The shift has been compounded by President Trump's decisions to join Israel in strikes against Iran in June 2025 and to launch a broader war against Iran in February, actions that have further divided Democratic voters. The new committee assignments reflect the party's attempt to balance these competing pressures as it heads into the midterms.
