A confidential internal review conducted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has identified the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on Israel’s military operations in Gaza as a significant factor in the party’s 2024 presidential election defeat, according to verified reports. The still-secret autopsy, whose contents remain undisclosed by party leadership, concludes that unwavering support for Israel during the conflict eroded support among young voters and progressive segments of the electorate.
Axios reports that DNC officials conducting the post-election analysis held private discussions with the IMEU Policy Project, where aides acknowledged their internal data showed the administration’s Gaza policy represented a ‘net-negative’ in electoral terms. Multiple senior aides confirmed the assessment that the position damaged the party’s standing with crucial voting blocs.
The findings have ignited substantial controversy within Democratic ranks, validating concerns raised by pro-Palestinian activists during the campaign. The revelation has exposed deepening fissures between the party’s progressive wing and centrist establishment, with many activists expressing frustration that their warnings were previously dismissed as electorally insignificant.
The ongoing conflict, which international organizations have classified as genocide and which has resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian casualties, persisted throughout the administration’s term. Vice President Harris attempted a balanced approach during her campaign—reaffirming support for Israel while advocating for ceasefires and expressing concern for Palestinian civilians—but this positioning failed to satisfy many young voters and grassroots organizers.
The decision to keep the report confidential has intensified scrutiny and criticism from both activists and social media commentators, who argue the party is avoiding accountability for a policy they believe cost critical support in swing states. The internal assessment suggests the Gaza conflict transcended foreign policy considerations to become a substantial electoral liability that contributed to Donald Trump’s victory.