DNC Leadership Pressured Gen Z Member To Kill Resolution On Banning Arms To Israel

Democrats say they need enthusiasm among young voters. They aren’t listening to what Gen Z wants.

By Matt Sledge, The Intercept

When it comes to Israel’s handling of the war on Gaza, Democrats are nearly united. Only 8 percent of party members support Israel’s military actions, according to a Gallup poll from last month.

A vote at the Democratic National Committee meeting later this month could once again expose the yawning rift between the party’s base and its leaders, who are lining up to oppose a resolution against arms for Israel.

Allison Minnerly, the 26-year-old committee member sponsoring the measure, told The Intercept Thursday that Democratic leaders risk further alienating party members — especially young voters — if they kill the symbolic resolution.

“Our voters, our base, they are saying that they do not want U.S. dollars to enable further death and starvation anywhere across the world, particularly in Gaza,” said Minnerly, a first-term DNC member from Florida. “I don’t think it should be a hard decision for us to say that clearly.”

Minnerly’s resolution has reopened a simmering debate in the party’s top ranks over the war.

In August 2024, Democratic National Convention delegates approved on a carefully worded platform that backed giving Israel a “qualitative military edge” while pursuing a two-state solution and a “durable end to the war in Gaza.”

The party platform outraged the delegates with the Uncommitted movement who had hoped to pressure Vice President Kamala Harris into breaking with President Joe Biden and supporting an arms embargo on Israel.