Suozzi, Gillen stand with Israel, as debate rages among Democrats

WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit this week to Washington comes with intensified infighting among Democrats nationally over U.S. relations with Israel, but Long Island’s two House Democrats aren’t buckling in their support.

Disagreements over unconditional military aid to the country, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the leadership of Netanyahu himself and other issues continue. But Reps. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) and Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) both underscored Monday their steadfast backing of strong U.S. support for Israel.

"I unequivocally support the State of Israel. It is in America’s interest to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship, bolster Israel’s security and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with one of our closest allies in its fight against terrorism," Suozzi said in a statement Monday. He added that, "Democrats and Republicans alike must reject extremism, confront antisemitism without hesitation and continue standing firmly with Israel."

Said Gillen in a statement: "I remain committed to promoting peace in the region through the Abraham Accords, countering threats from Iran and protecting the U.S.-Israel alliance from partisan politics."

Party divide

Such certainty continues to lessen for others in their party. On Monday, for instance, the political arm of one of several major groups that advocate for pro-Israel policies suddenly erased nine House Democrats’ names from its candidate endorsement list, at least temporarily, because of their votes this month opposing more military aid for Israel.

And President Donald Trump himself — seeming to relish the Democratic turmoil over Israel — on Saturday openly mocked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) at a gala for White House reporters as having "turned Palestinian."

"This was a man who was 100% for Israel," said Trump. "But now he's a great, proud Palestinian."

There was no response to efforts to obtain a response from Schumer.

Netanyahu is to meet Tuesday with Trump and attend a service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in a visit that is bringing more attention to the Democratic Party fissures over Israel.

Campaign issue

Similar to several Democratic primary races in June for House seats from New York City, a debate over Israel among Democrats also is playing out in primaries across the country, including those set for Aug. 4 in Michigan and Missouri.

In those races, and generally, progressive and left-leaning candidates increasingly say they will condition their backing of foreign aid on human rights compliance by Israel.

But non-partisan political experts suggest there are reasons Suozzi and Gillen show no signs of pulling back on their Israel support, including that both represent districts where being seen as a supporter of Israel is far more a necessity than a hindrance.

"Both districts have relatively large Jewish populations, particularly among the growing of Orthodox who most see being a supporter of Israel as a litmus test for their vote," said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University.

He added that both also represent relatively moderate suburban populations "where you don’t see much of the sort of progressive activism that is most supportive of the Palestinian cause."

Suozzi and Gillen's fall opponents both attacked their stances.

“The Democratic Party has been hijacked by socialists who spew antisemitism and spew hate,” said former GOP Assemb. Michael LiPetri of Farmingdale, who is running against Suozzi. “We need leaders who stand up to hate, every day, not pop up when it's convenient and then run and hide.”

Hempstead Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll of Bellerose Village, the Republican challenging Gillen, said, “Actions speak louder than words and Laura Gillen hasn’t been there for Israel when it matters most.”

She pointed in part to Gillen’s vote last week along with her party and just four Republicans to halt Trump’s war in Iran absent congressional approval. The resolution passed, but a similar measure failed in the Senate.

Donor support

The two incumbents receive significant campaign dollar help from pro-Israel groups. For instance, individual contributions or bundled donations affiliated with just one of those organizations -- the American Israel Public Affairs Committee – have provided Suozzi’s campaign $339,722, as of its latest filings through June 30 with the Federal Election Commission.

Gillen has received $257,857 from individuals affiliated with AIPAC, according to the same database donor tracking by the nonpartisan site, OpenSecrets. Long Island GOP Reps. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) and Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) also have received AIPAC-related donations, though much less — $26,391 and $16,373, respectively.

But on Monday, nine other House Democrats who were previously largely viewed as champions of Israel, found themselves with new labels. Unlike the two Long Islanders, they each voted unsuccessfully with 94 other House Democrats this month to strip $3.3 billion in military aid to Israel.

As a result, the political arm of another pro-Israel organization — the Democratic Majority For Israel — erased their names from a posted list of endorsed candidates in this fall’s congressional elections.

"Because of that vote, we are pausing our endorsement and taking your name off the list of supported lawmakers on the DMFI PAC website," Brian Romick, president of that committee, wrote to those lawmakers Monday, including New Yorker Pat Ryan (D-Gardiner). "At the same time, our hope is that this pause will be temporary and that, through a candid conversation about the path forward, we can resume our endorsement."

As for Suozzi and Gillen, the same group’s chief political officer, Joel Wanger, described them both on Monday as "passionate, pragmatic voices in Congress who search for common ground to solve their constituents' problems, are committed to standing by our allies, and embrace — as they long have — the Democratic Party's proud pro-Israel tradition."