Family of Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, whose wife and two daughters were killed on Oct. 7 attack, react as they watch the live broadcast of him being released from Hamas captivity in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
I had the honor of representing North Carolina’s 6th District in Congress — a district that flipped from red to blue in 2020 for the first time in more than three decades. It was a genuinely competitive congressional district where a Democrat like myself could win only by building a broad coalition and earning the trust of independents and moderates. In races like mine, reality is shaped by voters on the ground, not by the loudest voices online.
That’s why I know Democratic Majority for Israel PAC’s new 2026 Majority Project, announced this week, is spot on. Democratic Majority for Israel PAC is the only organization focused on two goals that Democrats cannot afford to separate: electing pro-Israel Democrats and winning back a Democratic majority in the House.
Control of the House majority will hinge on a small number of races. Democrats cannot afford to get this wrong. If we want to govern — to protect democracy, tackle affordability, lead responsibly on foreign policy, and serve as a check on President Trump — we must nominate Democrats who can win tough general elections and be effective once elected.
That is exactly what the Majority Project is designed to do. At its core, the project reflects a simple but often overlooked truth: winning the House for Democrats and supporting Israel as a democratic ally are not in conflict. They reinforce each other.
Americans can hold two truths at once. Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack and hostage-taking were moral atrocities. And the suffering of civilians in the war is real and demands sustained humanitarian attention. Democrats should speak honestly about both — with compassion and moral clarity.
That same moral clarity also means being honest about the endgame. With the hostages returned and a fragile ceasefire in place, we must relentlessly pursue a path that guarantees Israel’s security, ends Hamas’s reign of terror and ushers in a brighter future for Israelis and Palestinians.
But it is politically and strategically reckless to pretend that support for Israel is outdated or optional. Mainstream Democrats understand that the U.S.–Israel alliance strengthens our national security while delivering innovations that make Americans healthier, safer and more productive. I’ve seen it firsthand in a purple state with military bases, world-class hospitals and universities, high-tech companies, and farmers who all benefit directly from American-Israeli partnerships. Supporting this relationship tangibly improves people’s lives at home.
Our polling and data continues to show that most Democratic and swing voters believe Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish homeland and want the U.S. to maintain a strong alliance with Israel.
Competitive districts are decided at the margins. If the party alienates moderates, independents or persuadable Democrats, we lose. And when Democrats lose competitive seats, we don’t just lose votes — we lose the majority. We lose the gavel. We lose committee chairs. We lose the ability to pass legislation, protect democratic norms and deliver for the American people.
That’s why the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC’s Majority Project matters. These endorsements reflect a clear, disciplined strategy: support Democrats who hold mainstream, pro-Israel views of American foreign policy and who are best positioned to win their races.
In safe Democratic seats, this means supporting candidates aligned with the vast majority of Democratic voters — those who back Israel as a democratic ally and view the U.S.–Israel relationship as a core pillar of American foreign policy — and pushing back on candidates with radical anti-Israel views.
The truth is a handful of high-profile primaries can create a distorted picture of the party, especially when social media amplifies the most absolutist positions. That may generate attention, but it is not a governing strategy. Results in a few cherry-picked primaries should not be mistaken for the broader Democratic electorate — and they certainly should not be confused with what it takes to win swing districts where control of the House will be decided.
The reality is that many voters hold two views at the same time: they can be critical of specific decisions or strategies set by the Israeli government, and they can still support Israel’s right to exist and the importance of the U.S.–Israel relationship. Candidates who treat those fundamentals with contempt don’t broaden the tent — they shrink it.
In the weeks ahead, our PAC will announce additional endorsements and investments to ensure pro-Israel Democrats have the resources to compete and win the majority.
I’ve lived the reality of competitive races. I know how narrow the path to victory can be. And I know this much: Democrats are strongest when our values match our governing goals — protecting democracy, standing with allies like Israel, opposing terrorists like Hamas, and staying engaged in the hard work of diplomacy so our leadership doesn’t disappear when it’s most needed.
Kathy Manning chairs the Democratic Majority for Israel board. She was the first woman to serve as board chair of the Jewish Federations of North America.