As Democrats shift on Israel, Josh Shapiro stands firm. ‘I don’t waffle or waver because of polling’
The Pennsylvania Governor and potential presidential contender first visited the Jewish state at age 16
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Nov. 4, 2024. Photo by Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images
By Jacob Kornbluh September 17, 2025
Like many of his mainstream Democratic colleagues, including fellow governors and potential presidential contenders, Josh Shapiro has accused Israel of overreaching in its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, called for an end to the war, and denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an obstacle to both a peace settlement and stable U.S.-Israel relations.
But Shapiro, a rising national figure who has been widely regarded as a potential first Jewish president, remains on the narrow path he has carved out for himself, despite the party’s base — particularly younger Democrats — shifting away from support for Israel.
“The roots of my faith and support of Israel were formed decades ago,” Shapiro said in a phone interview on Tuesday, following a speech on hate-fueled violence. He first visited the Jewish state at age 16 and his position is grounded in a long history with the country, he said.
“I don’t waffle or waver because of what the polling said,” he told the Forward. “I focus on doing what I think is right. And what I think is right is to have these hostages return home, have the war end, have the people of Gaza be able to live with food and shelter and health care and dignity, and to hopefully one day be in a position where a two-state solution can be a possibility. I recognize we are a long way from there. But those views have been cemented by years of having a relationship with Israel, and visiting Israel, not by the momentary blip of a political poll.”
Shapiro’s balancing act shows the challenge for Democrats with national ambitions: trying to appeal to a base that is growing more critical of Israel while still keeping the trust of Jewish voters and pro-Israel allies. His stance has yet to satisfy Democrats who want sharper opposition to Israel.
Shapiro, who was subjected to antisemitic attacks from the right during his run for governor in 2022, has come under fire from progressive Democrats for his staunch defense of Israel, his refusal to call for a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza since the conflict started in October 2023, and for highlighting expressions of antisemitism at the nationwide pro-Palestinian protests. Last year, he faced scrutiny during his vetting for vice president. His pro-Israel stance and critique of campus protests raised concerns within the Kamala Harris campaign, according to a recent book.
Earlier this year, Shapiro’s home was firebombed on Passover, hours after his family’s Seder, by an attacker who said he wanted to beat the governor with a sledgehammer over what he claimed was a lack of empathy towards Palestinians.
The Pennsylvania Democrat also faced a wave of vitriolic online comments after he criticized Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, for declining to clearly condemn the pro-Palestinian “globalize the intifada” slogan.
In the interview, Shapiro said his defense of Israel and approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been “consistent,” even when he blasted the Israeli government’s rejection of international hunger reports in Gaza, calling it “abhorrent” and “wrong.”
“I think certain audiences choose to tune in at different times, and certain people choose to ascribe different beliefs to me and about me based on their own perception,” he said. “I think it is common sense and humane to want children who are hungry to be fed. And I think it’s common sense and humane to want hostages that are being held by a terrorist group, Hamas, to be returned home. I think it’s also common sense to want the war to end.”
Shapiro refused to address waning support for Israel among Democrats or whether he is concerned about colleagues and future candidates adopting a more anti-Israel posture in response to public opinion. Recent polls show that Democratic voters are increasingly sympathetic to Palestinians. In July, a record 27 Senate Democrats, a majority of the caucus, supported a pair of resolutions introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, the Jewish Vermont independent and longtime critic of U.S. aid to Israel, calling for the blocking of weapons transfers to Israel.
“I can just tell you what I think,” he said.
Nevertheless, Shapiro had no hesitation in blaming Netanyahu for deepening the crisis. “I am concerned that he is placing Israel in greater danger because of his conduct,” he said.
Rosh Hashanah prayers
Shapiro is running for reelection next year. He and other Jewish Democratic governors, including JB Pritzker of Illinois and Josh Stein of North Carolina, are consistently mentioned as possible contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.
Asked if he will be praying for his political success during services in the upcoming High Holidays, Shapiro said, “I never pray about work. I’ll just continue to pray for the safety and well-being of my family, of the people I represent, and for peace in America.”
