Podcast Summary: "Israel has lost Americans"
Podcast: Today, Explained (Vox)
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Sean Rameswaram
Guest: Ross Barkin (Columnist, New York Magazine)
Episode Overview
This episode explores the rapid and profound shifts in American public sentiment and political alliances regarding Israel, especially in the wake of the new Iran war under President Trump. Host Sean Rameswaram is joined by New York Magazine’s Ross Barkin to analyze how recent events—including mounting casualties, economic fallout, and open war—are undermining Israel’s once rock-solid bipartisan support in the United States. The conversation breaks down the emerging fractures on both the left and right, the strategic calculations in Washington, and what these changes might mean for U.S.-Israel relations in the coming years.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Declining Support for Israel in the U.S.
- Generational and Partisan Divide:
- Since October 7th and the war in Gaza, there has been a dramatic drop in support for Israel, especially among younger voters and Democrats.
- Ross Barkin: "We went from Democrats favoring the Israelis by 26 points to the Palestinians by 46 points." (02:31)
- Since October 7th and the war in Gaza, there has been a dramatic drop in support for Israel, especially among younger voters and Democrats.
- Historic Shift:
- This is the first time since Gallup began tracking in 2001 that support for Israel dipped below 50%.
- (Ross Barkin, 02:41)
- This is the first time since Gallup began tracking in 2001 that support for Israel dipped below 50%.
- The War in Iran as a Catalyst:
- The current war, seen as driven largely by Israel’s desires, is accelerating these shifts.
- "This Iran war...is only going to drive the left, younger Democrats especially, away from Israel." (03:15)
- The current war, seen as driven largely by Israel’s desires, is accelerating these shifts.
2. Fractures within the Democratic Party
- Divide by Age and Political Status:
- Older Democratic leaders remain broadly supportive of Israel but object to the lack of congressional authorization for the war (e.g., Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries).
- "Trump doesn't care about being honest...doesn't care about the soldiers he's putting in harm's way." (Chuck Schumer paraphrased by Barkin, 05:13)
- Younger and more progressive Democrats push for conditional aid to Israel and criticize U.S. complicity in Gaza's destruction.
- "Unconditional aid...does not make sense. I think it enabled a genocide in Gaza." (Progressive Democrat paraphrased, 06:45)
- Older Democratic leaders remain broadly supportive of Israel but object to the lack of congressional authorization for the war (e.g., Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries).
- A New, Critical Tone Emerges:
- Mainstream or center-left figures like Gavin Newsom now use language once considered taboo, referring to Israel as "sort of an apartheid state." (07:11)
- "This sort of language would have been unfathomable even three years ago." (Ross Barkin, 07:12)
- Mainstream or center-left figures like Gavin Newsom now use language once considered taboo, referring to Israel as "sort of an apartheid state." (07:11)
- Grassroots Movements and Party Tensions:
- The "uncommitted" pro-Palestine movement at the 2024 DNC was locked out; Barkin predicts the 2028 convention will be very different. (08:14-08:28)
3. Legislative and Fundraising Implications
- Congressional Actions:
- Recent War Powers Resolution to halt bombing of Iran received broad Democratic support, highlighting a shift in the party. (08:57)
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen: "Kids in Gaza are now dying from the deliberate withholding of food. That is a war crime." (09:35)
- Recent War Powers Resolution to halt bombing of Iran received broad Democratic support, highlighting a shift in the party. (08:57)
- Pushback Against AIPAC:
- Increasing numbers of Democratic politicians are rejecting funding from AIPAC and voicing open criticism.
- "You bring a hammer... keep hitting and you scare the politicians... mainstream Democrats are tired of that." (Ross Barkin, 11:16, 11:55)
- Online fundraising and small-dollar donations are offsetting losses from traditional pro-Israel donors.
- Increasing numbers of Democratic politicians are rejecting funding from AIPAC and voicing open criticism.
4. Changes on the Republican Right
- Old Guard Holds Fast... For Now:
- GOP leadership still staunchly pro-Israel, supported by evangelical and donor bases.
- Marco Rubio: "President Trump's administration will continue to be perhaps the most pro-Israel administration in American history." (16:52)
- Lindsey Graham: "I'm with Israel. I will be with Israel to our dying day." (17:07)
- Ted Cruz: "Those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel will be cursed." (17:20)
- GOP leadership still staunchly pro-Israel, supported by evangelical and donor bases.
- Rising Dissent Among Young Conservatives:
- A new generation of MAGA-aligned and non-evangelical conservatives are growing disillusioned with foreign interventions and Israel’s influence:
- "Being a conservative... does not mean you have to accept another Middle East war." (18:12, paraphrasing MAGA skepticism)
- Trump’s campaign promises of “America First” and ending “forever wars” contrast sharply with the current pro-Israel war stance, causing a sense of betrayal. (19:21)
- Far-right voices (e.g., Nick Fuentes, Tucker Carlson) are channeling frustration, though their motivations are mixed and not always anti-Semitic.
- A new generation of MAGA-aligned and non-evangelical conservatives are growing disillusioned with foreign interventions and Israel’s influence:
5. Political Consequences and Future Projections
- Long-term Outlook:
- Barkin predicts an ongoing erosion of Israel's privileged status in U.S. foreign policy:
- "Even the next Republican could, if they're very supportive, not give Israel every single thing it wants." (25:54)
- The topic is no longer a "third rail"—taboos around criticizing Israel have collapsed in just a few years, both in culture and in politics. (24:13)
- "You look at how someone like Hillary Clinton spoke about Israel as our unsenting ally... Now, politicians are not nearly as afraid of violating certain taboos." (24:40)
- Barkin predicts an ongoing erosion of Israel's privileged status in U.S. foreign policy:
- The Most Locked-In... For Now:
- U.S.-Israel relations are ironclad under Trump and Netanyahu, but both countries’ shifting political landscapes suggest changes are inevitable post-2028. (25:54)
- "It's the most locked in as long as Trump is president and certainly Netanyahu runs in Israel. But leaders change." (25:54)
- U.S.-Israel relations are ironclad under Trump and Netanyahu, but both countries’ shifting political landscapes suggest changes are inevitable post-2028. (25:54)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Ross Barkin: "We went from Democrats favoring the Israelis by 26 points to the Palestinians by 46 points. That is a shift, John." (02:31)
- Ross Barkin on language change: "This sort of language would have been unfathomable even three years ago." (07:12)
- Sen. Chris Van Hollen (quoted by Barkin): "Kids in Gaza are now dying from the deliberate withholding of food. That is a war crime. And that makes those who orchestrate it war criminals." (09:35-09:43)
- Trump’s America First rhetoric: "From this day forward, it's going to be only America First." (19:21)
- Ross Barkin: "The remarkable thing about this Iran war is that it's not popular already, broadly speaking, even in the Republican Party... We've skipped entirely the rally around the flag effect." (21:04)
- Sean Rameswaram: "It does feel like we've seen a dramatic evolution in Israel's place as a sort of third rail in American politics..." (23:36)
Important Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:00–01:51: Introduction; framing the war in Iran as a conflict driven by Israeli interests, with bipartisan discomfort.
- 02:18–05:13: Ross Barkin explains the shift in Democratic opinions and declining support for Israel among young voters.
- 05:13–08:57: Discussion of fracture within Democrats, changing norms, and the effect of grassroots/protest movements.
- 08:57–12:26: Legislative voting changes, fundraising dynamics, and the backlash to AIPAC.
- 16:38–19:25: Republican hawks versus MAGA grassroots dissent; the meaning and fallout of Trump’s embrace of Israel.
- 21:04–25:54: Political consequences, comparison with historical taboos, and speculation on the future of U.S.-Israel relations.
Episode Takeaways
- A Realignment is Underway: Old bipartisan rules around Israel as an “untouchable” ally are breaking down, with major implications for both U.S. policy and political fundraising.
- Democrats Shift Left: Younger and progressive wings now openly criticize Israel and call for changes in U.S. policy.
- Republicans Face Their Own Schism: While leaders and evangelicals stick with Israel, young MAGA conservatives show rising skepticism—especially in the light of costly new wars.
- Public Fatigue and Economic Pain: War casualties and higher gas prices are sharply eroding public support for the conflict and for Israel’s role in the U.S. alliance.
- The Future is Uncertain: After this administration, neither party is likely to offer Israel the same blanket support seen in recent decades.
For further reading: Ross Barkin’s latest work at New York Magazine includes “Trump has handed the Democrats a new winning issue for the midterms,” “The day Israel lost America,” and “The Democratic Party's breakup with AIPAC is almost complete.” (26:47)