Israel and Iran Have Divided Democrats and Republicans. Will They Ever Be the Same?

Key Points:

• Bitter debates over Israel and Iran are causing deep divisions within both the Democratic and Republican parties, influencing the fight for control of Congress and potentially shaping the 2028 presidential election.
• Among Democrats, Israel’s declining popularity since the Gaza war began has led to primary defeats for incumbents perceived as insufficiently critical of Israel, signaling a shift in party dynamics.
• The Republican Party faces internal conflict as isolationists criticize former President Trump for his intervention in Iran, while hawks oppose his negotiations with Iran, believing he failed to weaken its military and nuclear ambitions.
• These foreign policy disputes are contributing to unpredictable midterm election outcomes, with centrist Democrats losing ground and some Republican voters disengaging, posing risks for both parties.
• The ongoing rifts are encouraging factions within each party to push for lasting changes to their ideologies and policy platforms, setting the stage for intensified battles ahead of the 2028 presidential race.