Israel and the Middle East in 2028
U.S. policy toward Israel, the Palestinian question, and American engagement across the Middle East.
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza sharply intensified American debates about U.S. support for Israel. The conflict generated deep domestic political tensions - within both parties - about military aid, civilian casualties, and what a path to peace might look like.
The U.S. has long maintained a close security relationship with Israel, providing military aid and diplomatic support. The question of Palestinian statehood, the status of Jerusalem, and the role of settlements in the West Bank have remained unresolved for decades.
Broader Middle East policy encompasses Iran's nuclear program, relations with Gulf states, and the legacy of U.S. military involvement in the region.
Why it matters in 2028
The Israel-Gaza conflict reshaped the political landscape in ways that will likely still be felt in 2028. Younger and progressive voters, Arab-American communities, and Jewish-American voters all became more attentive to candidates' positions on this issue. The question of U.S. military aid and conditions on that aid will be a significant dividing line.
How each party frames israel and the middle east
A neutral summary of each party's general governing approach. Individual 2028 candidates will differ - no nominee has been chosen yet.
Democratic approach
Democrats broadly reaffirm support for Israel's security while showing greater internal disagreement over the terms of that support than in previous cycles. A significant progressive faction supports conditioning military aid and is more explicitly critical of Israeli military operations and settlement expansion. Most of the party supports a two-state solution as the path to peace and emphasizes the protection of Palestinian civilians. There is significant and visible intraparty tension on this issue.
Republican approach
Republicans broadly offer strong and largely unconditional support for Israel, including military aid and diplomatic backing. The party tends to be skeptical of pressure on Israel over its military conduct and opposes Palestinian statehood absent security guarantees. Many Republicans frame Israel policy through the lens of fighting terrorism and regional stability. There is less visible internal dissent on this issue within the party than in previous cycles, though libertarian voices occasionally push back.
What voters ask about israel and the middle east
- Do candidates support continued U.S. military aid to Israel?
- What is each candidate's position on a two-state solution?
- Should the U.S. put conditions on its support for Israel?
- How would candidates approach a ceasefire or peace process in Gaza?
- What is the right U.S. approach to Iran and its nuclear program?
Other 2028 issues
How 2028 candidates plan to manage economic growth, consumer prices, and the cost of living.
Border enforcement, legal immigration pathways, and the future of undocumented immigrants already in the U.S.
Federal and state abortion policy after the Supreme Court returned the issue to state legislatures in 2022.
Health insurance coverage, drug prices, and the long-running debate over the structure of the American health system.
Federal tax policy, including the expiring provisions of the 2017 tax law and disputes over who pays what.
Employment levels, minimum wage, union rights, and the future of work in an era of automation and AI.