Brad Lander and other progressives poised to challenge US-Israel ties in House

A group of progressive Democratic candidates expected to win House seats on Tuesday has intensified criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, raising concerns about the future of bipartisan support for the Jewish state.

These candidates, who have called the conflict a genocide and demanded changes to US military assistance, are set to join the existing seven members of the SQUAD. The potential expansion of this bloc is reshaping the political landscape in Washington ahead of the midterm elections.

Brad Lander, a former New York City comptroller, is running in New York's 10th congressional district with the backing of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Lander recently drew attention in Israel after being detained by the IDF alongside approximately 60 activists. According to the military, the group entered a closed zone in Judea and Samaria while Lander participated in an olive harvest with Rabbis for Human Rights.

In a video from the event, Lander quoted the biblical phrase "Bakesh shalom v'rodfehu." In a separate interview with CBS News, he described his observations in the West Bank as "ethnic cleansing." When asked by Major Garrett to substantiate the claim, Lander stated, "I'm telling you, it is what I saw." He also accused settlers of driving Palestinians out of villages in the Jordan Valley, noting that areas once home to 1,500 people are now empty.

Lander is not the only candidate taking a hard line. Donovan McKinney, running in Michigan's 13th district, said he would support ending US assistance to Israel if it is found to be committing genocide. After reviewing the United Nations definition, McKinney concluded, "Yeah, it is a genocide."

Delia Avila-Chevalier, a candidate in New York's 13th district, cited her experience scrolling through images of Palestinians killed in Gaza as a driving force for her campaign. She argued that as an American taxpayer, she can influence the conflict through government spending. "The thing that I have power over in this cycle of violence is where my government uses my tax dollar," she said, criticizing the US decision to continue funding and arming Israel.

Angela Gonzales-Torres, a candidate in California, has also advocated for a tougher approach. In a podcast interview, she affirmed support for ending US aid, imposing sanctions, and a free Palestine. She described blocking weapons transfers as a minimum requirement and stated, "I think BDS is bare minimum."

Dr. Adam Hamawy, a physician expected to enter Congress from New Jersey's 12th district, has made his time working in Gaza central to his message. He said returning from the war convinced him that he needed to go to Washington to challenge how American money is being used. "There's so few people that have been on the ground and felt that and seen what's happening and seen the actual genocide and taking care of the victims," he said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a current House member, has argued that unconditional aid enabled a genocide in Gaza. "The idea of completely unconditional aid, no matter what one does, does not make sense," she said. The incoming cohort faces a larger political test: whether a Democratic candidate can maintain a strong commitment to the US-Israel relationship without alienating an increasingly influential progressive electorate.

The debate over Israel within the Democratic Party is evolving from disagreements over specific government policies to a test of the next presidential nominee. If these candidates win seats on platforms that include ending aid and supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, future leaders may face pressure to adopt similar positions.