JEWISH INSIDER
Former Obama staffers turned podcasters reemerge to lead anti-Israel chorus
Danielle Cohen-Kanik
July 29, 2025

Former Obama administration officials Ben Rhodes and Tommy Vietor took to social media over the weekend to attack Israel and slam the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, asking how it’s possible to “trust Democrats to fight for anything” if they take money from the pro-Israel lobby group. The anti-Israel activism from the Democratic influencers is a public example of the intense lobbying taking place in party circles and how progressive foreign policy officials such as Rhodes who have long been deeply critical of Israel are pushing to turn humanitarian concerns in Gaza into a more permanent split between the Democratic Party and Israel. READ MORE

NEWSWEEK Full List of Senators Who Voted To Block Israel Arms Deal A majority of Democratic senators voted in support of Senator Bernie Sanders’ resolution to block an arms deal to Israel as public opinion shifts amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who has been critical of Israel, introduced two resolutions the Senate voted on Wednesday. Although both failed to receive majority support, they received record support from Senate Democrats. One resolution that would block the sale of assault rifles to Israel received support from 27 Democrats, while one to block the sale of more than $675 million in arms sales received support from 24 Democrats.