Nov 10, 2026 · 48 min
Democrats confront a widening divide over Israel and Palestine
Where Do Democrats Go From Here on Israel & Palestine? (Live From Crooked Con)
The debate shows how weapons policy, Palestinian rights, accountability, and political language could reshape Democratic strategy before 2028.
- 1U.S. aid and arms become the central test of whether Democratic leaders will impose meaningful conditions.
- 2The panel disputes whether two states remain viable while agreeing Palestinian self-determination cannot be deferred.
- 3Competing demands for empathy and accountability expose the political costs of language surrounding Gaza and October 7.
Don't miss
Tariq Habash and Joel Rubin clash over whether calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide is necessary moral accountability or a barrier to diplomacy.
The brief
Tommy Vietor moderates Tariq Habash and Joel Rubin in a live debate over how Democrats should approach Israel and Palestine before 2028.
The panel treats U.S. weapons and aid as the first practical test: Rubin sees leverage in continued assistance, while Habash argues existing laws have been selectively ignored.
Their disagreement widens over the two-state framework, Palestinian political rights, Israeli security, and whether changing Israel’s leadership could alter deeper systems.
The sharpest clash comes over Gaza and October 7, as Habash presses the moral and legal force of genocide language while Rubin warns against turning it into a diplomatic litmus test.
By the close, both accountability and political money are central to the Democratic debate, alongside unresolved questions about Hamas, aid conditions, and American responsibility.
What was said on this episode
23 statements · 9 positive · 14 negative
- Tariq Habashon Abdul El-Sayed’s Michigan Senate victoryPositive3:44
Abdul El-Sayed’s victory showed voters reject racist attacks against him.
“Abdul was able to resoundingly defeat that hate and show Americans, not just in Michigan, but around the country, that people, not just Democrats, but voters of all political backgrounds, reject that hate.”
Listen at 3:44
People should not be hated because of identity or beliefs.
“One thing we cannot countenance is hating people for who they are and what they believe.”
Listen at 7:32
The United States has an essential role in fostering Middle East peace.
“I really believe the United States has an essential role at fostering peace in the Middle East.”
Listen at 9:42
The United States should preserve aid and arms as diplomatic tools.
“So I really hesitate to undermine our diplomatic tools if we want to manage a peace.”
Listen at 10:58
The United States should use diplomatic tools with Israel’s new government.
“And we need to use, I mean, it was...”
Listen at 11:48
- Tariq Habashon U.S. policy toward GazaNegative13:49
U.S. policy made America complicit in Gaza’s destruction.
“We allowed for the inevitable wholesale destruction of an entire region in Gaza post-October 7. And that is our failure. It is our complicity because it is our ally. It's our tax dollars.”
Listen at 13:49
- Tariq Habashon U.S. weapons transfers to IsraelNegative14:09
America should stop financing and selling weapons used for war crimes.
“I don't think that America should be in the business. of co-signing and financing and selling weapons that are committing war crimes and harming civilians, full stop.”
Listen at 14:09
- Tariq Habashon U.S.-Israel defense integrationNegative16:17
U.S.-Israel defense integration undermines American national security.
“It creates huge reliance and codependency that undermines American national security.”
Listen at 16:17
- Tariq Habashon Israeli-Palestinian peacePositive19:37
Israelis and Palestinians can live peacefully under multiple political arrangements.
“And I do believe that you can have Israelis and Palestinians living in peace together, be it one state or two state or any other type of confederacy model or other system.”
Listen at 19:37
Peace requires Palestinian statehood and a Jewish-majority Israel.
“I think that there needs to be a Palestinian state. And I'll say that quite bluntly. And there needs to be Palestinian self-determination. And there also needs to be an Israel and the Jewish majority Israel.”
Listen at 20:39
The two-state solution is the correct policy.
“two-state solution absolutely is the way to go.”
Listen at 21:39
- Tariq Habashon Israeli rule over PalestiniansNegative23:07
Israeli rule over Palestinians constitutes apartheid.
“That is apartheid. There's no other word for it.”
Listen at 23:07
Israel’s systemic governmental problems extend beyond Netanyahu.
“there are systemic problems in the way that the Israeli government has been operating that go beyond one individual person.”
Listen at 25:45
Netanyahu’s departure would benefit Israel.
“So I think it would be a breath of fresh air for Israel.”
Listen at 27:33
- Tariq Habashon Democratic Israel-Palestine policyPositive30:56
Democrats should end weapons transfers, reengage diplomatically, and recognize Palestine.
“So let's start there. So let's say no weapons. Let's re-engage diplomatically. Let's recognize a Palestinian state.”
Listen at 30:56
- Tariq Habashon U.S. sanctions related to IsraelNegative31:37
The United States should impose sanctions for violations of its laws.
“And let's talk about sanctions if there is not complicity with our own laws.”
Listen at 31:37
The United States should end the war with Iran immediately.
“And the last thing I'll say is end the damn war. Like, come on, what are we doing? Stop this chaotic, crazy war with Iran.”
Listen at 31:53
Unconditional aid to Israel is dangerous and contrary to American values.
“Blank checks are not just contrary to our values as Americans. They're also dangerous.”
Listen at 35:00
- Tariq Habashon Israel’s actions in GazaNegative40:36
Calling Israel’s actions in Gaza genocide is reasonable.
“So I think that it's probably reasonable to call it a genocide.”
Listen at 40:36
- Tariq Habashon Destruction in GazaNegative41:13
People should condemn and stop the destruction in Gaza.
“We have to be the ones to say, this is wrong, let's stop it.”
Listen at 41:13
The Biden administration should have applied Leahy Law sanctions.
“The Leahy Law, which is the targeted sanctions on units to commit war crimes violations, should have been applied.”
Listen at 43:57
- Tariq Habashon AIPAC and DMFI political influenceNegative46:22
AIPAC and DMFI’s unconditional support undermined American credibility.
“organizations like AIPAC and DMFI that have been prioritizing a posture of unconditional support to the Israeli government, especially post-October 7th, have actually played a role in undermining American credibility”
Listen at 46:22
Hamas has persecuted Palestinians and killed peace advocates for decades.
“Hamas has been persecuting its own people for decades, murdering anyone who speaks out for peace.”
Listen at 47:15
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
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