How Oct. 7 and Israel loom large over 2028 Democratic presidential race

Published October 7, 2026 6:00am ET Updated October 7, 2026 8:11am ET

On the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks, attitudes toward Israel and Gaza have increasingly divided the Democratic Party and are likely to play an outsize role in the party’s 2028 presidential primary.

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is weighing a 2028 presidential bid, said this week that America is ready to elect its first Jewish president while challenging Democrats who want to cut U.S. military support for Israel to explain what their broader Middle East strategy would be.