Anti-Israel Progressives Gain Ground in Democratic House Takeover

Valdez and Chevalier are members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization that explicitly opposes Zionism and advocates a US arms embargo against Israel.

By United with Israel Staff

Democrats regained control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, with several prominent pro-Israel Republicans losing their seats in the House of Representatives while candidates advocating an end to American military assistance to Israel secured significant victories.

The results dealt a major setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, while strengthening the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, including several incoming lawmakers who have accused Israel of genocide and demanded a complete arms embargo against the Jewish state.

Among the notable Republican defeats were Reps. Mike Lawler of New York, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey, all of whom had established records of supporting Israel.

Fitzpatrick, a co-chair of the bipartisan congressional task force combating antisemitism, had introduced legislation targeting anti-Israel discrimination at the United Nations. Kean and Lawler were among the lawmakers who supported the measure.

Lawler, who represented New York’s 17th Congressional District, conceded defeat to Democrat Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former national security official, following a closely contested race in the Lower Hudson Valley.

Since entering Congress in 2023, Lawler had established himself as an outspoken defender of Israel and maintained close relationships with Jewish communities in his district, particularly Orthodox Jewish voters.

His defeat came despite a last-minute appeal from Trump, who urged Jewish voters in Monsey and surrounding communities to support the Republican congressman.

“Congressman Mike Lawler has been a tremendous friend to the Jewish community and a strong leader in the fight against antisemitism,” Trump wrote on Election Day.

“Mike has worked tirelessly for his constituents, for our Country, and for the Jewish people,” the president added, urging residents to vote for Lawler.

Conley, however, is also a supporter of Israel and continued American military assistance, although she has been more critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

While the Republican losses removed several established supporters of Israel from Congress, other election results brought additional lawmakers who oppose US military assistance to the Jewish state into the House.

In New York City, three progressive Democrats backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier, secured congressional seats after defeating established political figures in their party’s primaries.

Lander, New York City’s former comptroller, defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary. Although Lander describes himself as a liberal Zionist, he has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and advocated ending American military assistance.

Last month, Lander was briefly detained by Israeli security forces while participating in an olive harvest with Palestinians in Judea and Samaria. Israeli authorities subsequently revoked his entry visa.

Valdez and Chevalier are members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization that explicitly opposes Zionism and advocates a US arms embargo against Israel.

Valdez has accused Israel of genocide, supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement and called for cutting off American military assistance.

Chevalier, a former Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist, drew controversy for attending an anti-Israel demonstration in Times Square on October 8, 2023, just one day after Hamas terrorists massacred approximately 1,200 people in Israel.

She also faced criticism for initially declining to condemn the October 7 attack when questioned during her congressional campaign, although she subsequently explicitly condemned Hamas.

The progressive gains extended well beyond New York.

In Pennsylvania, Chris Rabb won a House seat after campaigning for an arms embargo against Israel and accusing the Jewish state of genocide. Rabb has also supported congressional recognition of the Palestinian Nakba and Palestinian refugees’ right of return.

In Michigan, Donavan McKinney, another Democratic Socialist, secured a congressional seat after defeating incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar in the primary. McKinney has advocated ending US military assistance to Israel and restricting American weapons transfers.

Colorado voters elected Melat Kiros, who defeated longtime Democratic incumbent Diana DeGette in the primary. Kiros has accused Israel of genocide and called for a complete arms embargo.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, one of Congress’s most prominent critics of Israel, secured a fifth term. Omar has repeatedly accused Israel of genocide and advocated restrictions on American weapons transfers.

The election of Valdez, Chevalier, Rabb, McKinney and Kiros brings five additional Democratic Socialists into the House, substantially expanding the organization’s congressional presence alongside established members Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.

All five incoming lawmakers have accused Israel of genocide and supported cutting off American military assistance.

Ironically, the election results came on the same day Trump announced plans to end approximately $4 billion in annual US military assistance to Israel.

But unlike Democrats demanding an aid cutoff over Israel’s military actions, Trump said the decision had been discussed with Netanyahu for years, at the Israeli prime minister’s own initiative, and reflected Israel’s growing economic self-sufficiency rather than a punitive measure.

The House election results nevertheless highlight an increasingly contentious debate over Israel within the Democratic Party.

Although many Democrats continue to support the US-Israel alliance, the arrival of additional lawmakers advocating an arms embargo could intensify congressional disputes over weapons sales, foreign assistance and Washington’s relationship with Jerusalem, particularly with Democrats now controlling the House and its powerful committees.