For more than two decades, advocates for Palestinian rights have watched Washington's unwavering support for Israel as an unassailable pillar of American politics. But the 2026 midterms, culminating in Abdul El-Sayed's Senate victory in Michigan, have cracked that edifice. This election night, I believe, will be remembered as the moment when the political cost of ignoring Palestinian suffering became too high for either party to bear.
Historically, criticizing Israel's treatment of Palestinians was political suicide. Both Democrats and Republicans vied to prove their loyalty to the Israeli government, often outbidding each other on military aid, regardless of the impact on Palestinians living under occupation. While public opinion shifted toward supporting Palestinian rights, Washington remained stuck in a Cold War-era playbook, fearing the wrath of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Politicians offered empty platitudes about a two-state solution, but the reality on the ground—continued settlement expansion, military operations, and a growing humanitarian crisis—told a different story.
In Michigan, that dynamic ended. El-Sayed, a progressive Democrat, overcame a flood of AIPAC spending, attacks from President Trump and Vice President JD Vance, and even a betrayal from a fellow Democrat. His victory was not just personal; it was a political earthquake. It proved that a platform advocating universal human rights, including for Palestinians, can win in the most critical swing state in the country. As El-Sayed declared victory, he framed his win as a rejection of the politics of hate and division, a message that resonated with a diverse coalition of voters.
The numbers are stark. An August 2026 Fox News poll found that 55% of Michigan voters oppose continuing military funding to Israel, including 70% of Democrats and 66% of independents. Even 35% of Republicans are opposed. A YouGov poll commissioned by my organization found that 80% of likely Democratic primary voters in Michigan believe Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, with similar majorities in other early-voting states: 57% in South Carolina, 78% in Nevada, 78% in New Hampshire, 76% in New Mexico, and 72% in Virginia.
This shift is not confined to Michigan. From New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's upset victory to primary wins in California, Florida, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Denver, and Detroit, candidates who champion Palestinian rights are defying the odds and beating AIPAC-backed opponents. The question of US-Israel policy is now a defining issue for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, and potentially for the Republican contest as well.
Even President Trump, who once moved the US embassy to Jerusalem and recognized Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights, has hinted at ending annual taxpayer funding to Israel's military, a sign of how toxic that ritual has become. But voters are demanding more: sanctions on Israel and a halt to all weapons deliveries, whether paid for by US taxpayers or the Israeli government. The political landscape is shifting so fast that even the most entrenched positions are being reconsidered.
The catalyst for this awakening has been devastating. Israel's military offensive in Gaza has killed over 70,000 Palestinians, including more than 20,000 children. Independent UN commissions and human rights organizations have concluded that Israel's actions constitute genocide. In 2024, the president of the International Court of Justice wrote that Israel's discriminatory laws against Palestinians are “tantamount to the crime of apartheid.” The American public, increasingly aware of these facts, is demanding a new approach.
El-Sayed's victory sends a clear message to Washington: the old bipartisan consensus that denied Palestinians freedom and equality is dead. The American people, especially in key battleground states, want leaders who will chart a new course. This is not just about foreign policy; it is about the credibility of our democracy and our commitment to human rights at home and abroad. The 2026 midterms, which also saw Hispanic voters punish the GOP and Gen Z men abandon the GOP, have set the stage for a fundamental realignment. The era of unquestioning support for Israel is over, and the era of accountability has begun.
