In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Obama administration Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel indicated he will approach the Israel-Palestine conflict with nuance as he weighs a potential 2028 presidential campaign, reaffirming his support for the Jewish state while distancing himself from the most hardline elements of the pro-Israel movement.

In the interview, Emanuel reiterated his support for a negotiated two-state solution, arguing that any future Palestinian state must unequivocally recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, reject terrorism and incitement, and develop governing institutions capable of ensuring long-term security. He also promoted his proposal for what he calls a “23-state solution,” a vision in which the broader coalition of Arab countries would play a greater role in helping establish and oversee Palestinian governance while entrenching regional normalization with Israel.

Emanuel said he would not accept campaign contributions or endorsements from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) if he enters the presidential race, arguing that maintaining political independence would better position him to lead on U.S. foreign policy. Asked whether he’d take AIPAC’s backing, he said flatly: “No. Well, first of all, AIPAC’s not for my 23-state solution.”

Despite rejecting AIPAC’s support, Emanuel emphasized that his commitment to Israel’s security remains unwavering. He argued that the erosion of American support for Israel is not confined to the Democratic Party but reflects a broader societal shift, particularly among younger Americans. Emanuel described that trend as a challenge not only for Israel but also for the United States, warning that weakening bipartisan backing for one of America’s closest Middle Eastern allies could have lasting geopolitical consequences.

At the same time, Emanuel placed significant responsibility for Israel’s growing international isolation on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, contending that the Israeli leader’s policies have complicated Israel’s diplomatic standing abroad and rendered the country a “territorial pariah.” Emanuel said that Israel’s supposed “pariah” status is neither in the best interest of the Jewish state nor its allies.

“I don’t believe it’s in America’s interest, in the alliance interest, or in Israel’s security interest to stay a pariah,” Emanuel said.

His criticism reflects ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party over how to balance steadfast support for Israel with concerns about the direction of Netanyahu’s government.

“Israel’s at its lowest standing since 1948 in America. Among kids 30 and younger, it’s in the tank. There’s a poll out today that Mamdani is more popular than [Netanyahu] among American Jews. That is an unsustainable foundation for a political alliance,” he said.

The former Chicago mayor also defended sanctions targeting Israeli settlers accused of violence in the West Bank, confirming he would extend sanctions to “the government officials [who] facilitate” such violence as well as “the people committing” it. His position aligns with policies pursued by the Biden administration but remains controversial among many supporters of Israel, who argue that such sanctions unfairly single out Israelis while failing to adequately address Palestinian terrorism.

Emanuel also revealed that he confronted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani over the slogan “From the river to the sea,” telling him that the phrase represents “destroying the Jewish people.” The slogan has become a flashpoint in American politics, with many Jewish organizations and Israeli officials arguing it calls for the elimination of Israel, while some supporters contend they use it to advocate for equal rights and freedom for Palestinians.

On Iran, Emanuel defended the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing that the agreement imposed stricter limits on Tehran’s nuclear program than currently exist following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal. The deal, which placed limits on Iranian nuclear enrichment instead of dismantling the program entirely, was widely controversial and unpopular in Israel. His comments come as concerns continue to mount over Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities and its support for armed groups hostile to Israel throughout the Middle East.

Emanuel’s interview builds upon sentiments shared in an address in Tel Aviv on Wednesday calling for a fundamental reset of the U.S.-Israel relationship and an end to unconditional American support for the Jewish state. Speaking at Tel Aviv University, Emanuel — one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent Jewish voices — offered an unusually sharp critique of Netanyahu’s government, warning that the pursuit of a “Greater Israel” agenda and permanent control over the West Bank could erode the bipartisan American support that has long served as a cornerstone of Israel’s national security. He warned that the window for maintaining support from the U.S. is rapidly closing and that the Jewish state risks becoming globally isolated.

Emanuel — whose father was born in what would become Israel and who volunteered with the Israeli military as a civilian during the 1991 Gulf War — has long been regarded as one of his party’s strongest supporters of the Jewish state.

As speculation surrounding Emanuel’s political future continues, his remarks underscore the difficult balancing act facing Democratic presidential hopefuls in maintaining strong support for Israel’s security and condemning antisemitism while responding to an increasingly divided Democratic electorate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Polls indicate that Israel’s popularity has cratered in the Democratic Party, with a majority of Democrats indicating that the U.S. has been too supportive of Israel and that the Jewish state has committed a so-called “genocide” in Gaza.

Whether that approach resonates with Democratic primary voters could become one of the defining foreign policy questions of the 2028 campaign.