Maine Democrats urged to adopt strong stance on Israel‑Palestine conflict

Alex Smith, a former senior advisor at USAID and a lawyer with experience in global health and human rights, argues that Maine Democratic candidates must articulate a clear position on the Israel‑Palestine conflict, labeling Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide and apartheid.

He points to recent polling showing that 29% of voters who supported President Biden in 2020 but not Vice‑President Harris in 2024 identified ending Israeli violence in Gaza as their top issue, outranking concerns like inflation and the economy. Nationwide, 83% of Democrats believe Israel is committing genocide and 75% oppose continued U.S. military aid to Israel.

Smith suggests that a moral stance on these rights violations can serve as a decisive litmus test for voters, citing similar trends in New York and Colorado, and urges Maine voters to demand candidates who condemn the alleged crimes.