MANCHESTER, N.H. — Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) said U.S. military aid to Israel should be conditioned, telling the Washington Examiner in an interview published Saturday that the stance is becoming the "consensus position of the Democratic Party."
"Aid has to be conditioned," Newsom said during a stop in New Hampshire, where the Washington Examiner reports he is testing the waters for a 2028 presidential run. The comment marks a notable shift for a governor who has previously positioned himself as a staunch supporter of Israel.
The Washington Examiner's report did not specify what conditions Newsom would attach to the aid, and his office did not immediately respond to requests for clarification.
Newsom's remarks come as the Democratic Party grapples with internal divisions over Israel policy. The Washington Examiner noted that Newsom described his position as reflective of a growing sentiment within his party.
During a separate interview with Politico's Jonathan Martin, Newsom said he is "proud" to support Israel but "deeply, deeply" opposes the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opposition to a two-state solution, according to a Politico post on TikTok describing the conversation. That post also noted Newsom defended his recent comments likening Israel to an "apartheid state."
An Instagram post from an account sharing the exchange paraphrased Newsom saying, "I'm clear on my love for Israel," while speaking with the interviewer. The post's caption, as indexed, also described the interviewer as "racist" — a characterization that appears in the caption text and could not be independently verified from the post alone.
The X account @dcexaminer shared the Washington Examiner's story Saturday, posting a link to the report with the headline: "Gavin Newsom says military aid to Israel 'has to be conditioned.'"
Newsom's remarks drew quick attention given his possible national ambitions. The Washington Examiner reported that his New Hampshire appearance was part of an effort to "test-drive" a 2028 run, though Newsom has not formally announced a campaign.
The governor's comments also come amid a broader Democratic debate over the U.S.-Israel relationship. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) criticized Newsom this week over the governor's opposition to a California billionaire tax, according to Benzinga, urging Democrats to embrace progressive policies. The two developments suggest Newsom is working to shore up support on multiple fronts as he weighs a national bid.
Newsom also commented publicly for the first time on the departure of his ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, from a high-profile Trump administration post, calling the situation "unfortunate" in comments to CBS News, according to Raw Story.
It is not yet known what specific conditions Newsom would impose on military aid, or whether his position would extend to other forms of assistance. The Washington Examiner's report did not include those details.
Our Take
Gavin Newsom wants to be president. That's the only lens through which his sudden conversion on Israel aid makes sense.
For years, Newsom has positioned himself as a reliable pro-Israel Democrat — the kind of California liberal who could raise money in Beverly Hills and AIPAC circles alike. Now, with a 2028 primary looming and the Democratic base increasingly hostile to the Jewish state, he's hedging. "Aid has to be conditioned" is not a policy position. It's a focus-group tested phrase designed to sound tough without saying what he'd actually do.
Notice what he didn't say. He didn't say what the conditions would be. He didn't say whether he'd cut aid if Israel doesn't comply. He didn't say whether he'd apply the same "conditions" to the Palestinians or to any other U.S. ally. He just said the magic words that play well on TikTok and in the faculty lounge.
And that's the tell. Newsom is a creature of the consultant class. He doesn't lead — he follows the polls. When Israel was popular with Democrats, he was proud to support it. Now that the base has shifted, he's shifting with it, all while insisting he's "clear on my love for Israel."
Israel is not a charity case. It is a sovereign ally in a dangerous neighborhood, the only democracy in the Middle East, and a country that shares our enemies and our values. Conditioning aid to Israel is not "tough love" — it's a signal to Iran, to Hezbollah, to Hamas, and to every other bad actor in the region that the United States is an unreliable partner.
American patriots understand this. Trump understands this. The question is whether the Democratic Party has the courage to stand with our allies — or whether it will follow Newsom down the path of appeasement.
