Former Obama aide and ‘Pod Save America’ co-host Tommy Vietor has called on the Democratic Party to adopt a more critical stance toward Israel, advocating for the complete cessation of U.S. military aid to the country. Vietor, along with his podcast co-hosts, expressed concerns over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, arguing it has dehumanized Palestinians and that the U.S. should withhold funding due to Israel’s financial independence. He emphasized the need for a ‘total mindset change’ in the Democratic Party, moving away from its current approach on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Vietor, who previously served as an aide to President Barack Obama, highlighted the need for a shift in the party’s stance, suggesting that the Democratic candidates should campaign for a complete cut-off of military assistance to Israel. Although he acknowledged that Hamas committed an ‘evil act of terror’ against Israel, he argued that the country’s actions in Gaza have been ‘dehumanizing’ to the Palestinian people. He suggested that the U.S. should not provide $3 billion in annual military aid to a country he described as ‘rich.’
Other former Obama aides, including Jon Lovett and Jon Favreau, have also called for a ‘shift’ in the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel, with Favreau arguing that cutting off military aid is the ‘least’ the U.S. can do. However, despite these calls for change, some Democratic lawmakers have already criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government’s actions during the ongoing war with Hamas.
Additionally, members of the House’s progressive ‘Squad,’ including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, have denounced Netanyahu as a ‘war criminal’ after his government launched attacks on Tehran and surrounding areas. This has sparked further debate within the Democratic Party on how to balance support for Israel with growing concerns over its actions.
In his remarks, Vietor also called for international press access to Gaza, the sanctioning of Israeli officials who use genocidal rhetoric, and a ceasefire resolution at the United Nations. He expressed hope for better political leadership in the U.S. and Israel but stressed that the current Biden-era strategy of ‘hug-Bibi-Netanyahu’ needs to be scrapped permanently.