Kathmandu— A recent poll indicates a significant shift within the Democratic party regarding support for Israel, particularly among voters in states crucial to selecting the 2028 presidential nominee. The survey, conducted by YouGov and released by the IMEU Policy Project, found that a majority of Democrats in South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan, and Virginia believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and oppose providing further aid or weapons to the country.

Shifting Democratic Sentiment

The poll highlights a growing disconnect between traditional Democratic leadership’s staunch support for Israel and the views of its base voters. In Michigan, an overwhelming 80 percent of respondents – including 91 percent under age 45 – agreed that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. This sentiment extends to calls for stronger action against Israel, with majorities across all six states supporting sanctions and enforcement of international arrest warrants.

Policy Implications for 2028

With South Carolina set to hold the first Democratic primary on January 22nd, followed by contests in the other surveyed states, these findings could significantly influence the platforms of presidential candidates. Hamid Bendaas, a spokesperson for IMEU Policy Project, stated that support for Israel within the Democratic base has become “negligible,” and voters are backing policies previously considered outside the mainstream. The results echo data from other polls and suggest a potential reshaping of the party’s stance on Israel-Palestine.

Cracks in Longstanding Bipartisan Support

While Democratic leadership, including figures like Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, have largely maintained their support for Israel, cracks in decades-long bipartisan consensus are widening. In July, over 100 House Democrats voted to block weapons shipments to Israel, signaling growing dissent within the party. Recent primary victories by progressive critics of Israel, such as Abdul El-Sayed’s win in Michigan, further demonstrate this shift.

Need for New Leadership

Bendaas argues that a change in leadership is necessary for the Democratic Party to align with its voters on this issue. He believes a new leader who reflects the views of the base could accelerate a policy shift, contrasting the current leadership’s “status quo view” of the US-Israel relationship. The poll suggests any candidate seeking the presidential nomination will need to address these changing attitudes to secure support.

The 2028 election cycle is still over a year away, but this polling data indicates that the issue of Israel and Palestine is poised to play a central role in shaping the Democratic Party’s platform and potentially influencing the outcome of the presidential primaries.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.