Democratic hopeful Rahm Emanuel calls for end to unconditional US aid to Israel

Democratic hopeful Rahm Emanuel calls for end to unconditional US aid to Israel Washington’s long-standing policy of blindly supporting the Israeli government without any conditions or demands has been a mistake, said Rahm Emanuel, a potential Democratic presidential candidate for the 2028 US elections. The Israeli government has increasingly isolated the country, turning it into a “territorial pariah,” Emanuel said during a speech at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday. “You cannot fight indefinitely against a world that has stopped believing you have the right to fight,” he added. “You must instead find a new sustainable path to peace, security, and economic prosperity. America stands ready.” He also mocked Israel’s recent foreign policy, saying that its only new diplomatic gain is recognition from Somaliland , a nation that itself lacks widespread international recognition. “As my grandmother used to say, ‘You lost Europe, you lost America, and you picked up Somaliland; such a deal,’” he said, drawing laughter from the audience. During his visit, Emanuel met with President Isaac Herzog, but not with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who once called him a “self-hating Jew” back in 2009 because he condemned Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements. In a social media post following their meeting, Herzog stated that it is critical for Israel to maintain good relations with both Democrats and Republicans. Emanuel stated earlier in the week that he was intentionally avoiding meetings with political leaders ahead of the Israeli elections in the autumn, according to the Associated Press. Read more: Democratic hopeful Rahm Emanuel calls for end to unconditional US aid to Israel Rahm Emanuel speaks at an event at Tel Aviv University, 8 July 2026 (Amir Cohen/Reuters)