Rahm Emanuel to Address Necessary Changes for Israel in Tel Aviv
WHO:
CBS News - Rahm Emanuel is viewed as a potential Democratic presidential candidate and has been a longtime defender of Israel.
CNN - Emanuel has a long history with Israel, including visiting the grave of an uncle who fought for Israeli independence.
AP News - Emanuel is a former Chicago mayor and ambassador to Japan.
WHAT:
AP News - Emanuel stated that Israel's military response to Hamas has been “reckless and careless in the treatment of Palestinian life.”
AP News - Emanuel mentioned that about 58% of Democrats believe the U.S. is “too supportive” of Israel, an increase from 45% in January 2024.
AP News - Emanuel's proposals include sanctions on companies and banks that support settlements considered illegal by most of the international community.
AP News - Emanuel criticized Netanyahu for driving Israel to a “dead end” and stated that unconditional support has led to a prime minister who ignores American concerns.
CNN - Emanuel's speech is part of a multi-day trip to Israel explicitly staged with a 2028 presidential run in mind.
CNN - Emanuel will argue that “Arab leaders, not Israel, must hold the Palestinians responsible and accountable for their actions.”
CNN - Emanuel will call the two-state solution “discredited” and advocate for a “23-state solution” involving Israel, the Palestinians, and the 21 Arab nations.
CNN - Emanuel will declare that “the most important thing a true friend can do is to tell the truth even when it’s painful” in a speech at Tel Aviv University.
AP News - Emanuel will denounce Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and state that the relationship between Israel and the United States is “at a crossroads.”
AP News - Emanuel will say, “It cannot stand or survive as it has been,” regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship.
AP News - Emanuel's proposals include sanctions on Israelis who attack Palestinian civilians and property and ending U.S. subsidies to Israel’s defense budget.
CNN - Emanuel will propose a “23-state solution” involving Israel, the Palestinians, and the 21 Arab nations.
WHERE:
CNN - The speech will take place at Tel Aviv University.
AP News - Emanuel arrived in Tel Aviv ahead of the speech.
WHEN:
AP News - Emanuel's speech is scheduled for Wednesday.
WHY:
CNN - Emanuel's speech aims to address the declining support for Israel among Americans, particularly Democrats, since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terror attacks.
AP News - Emanuel believes that unconditional support for Israel has led to poor decisions by Netanyahu and has produced a prime minister who ignores American concerns.
HOW:
AP News - Emanuel is intentionally avoiding interactions with Israeli elected officials during his visit to not interfere with the country’s upcoming elections.
(UPDATED July 7, 2026 21:25 UTC)
Emanuel has criticized Israel's military response to Hamas as “reckless and careless in the treatment of Palestinian life,” while also noting that about 58% of Democrats now believe the U.S. is “too supportive” of Israel, a significant increase from 45% in January 2024. He plans to propose sanctions on companies and banks that support settlements deemed illegal by much of the international community and has called out Netanyahu for leading Israel to a “dead end.” During his multi-day trip to Israel, which appears to be aimed at his 2028 presidential run, Emanuel will argue for a “23-state solution” involving Israel, the Palestinians, and the 21 Arab nations, while asserting that “Arab leaders, not Israel, must hold the Palestinians responsible and accountable for their actions.”
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(UPDATED July 7, 2026 19:38 UTC)
Rahm Emanuel, a former Chicago mayor and ambassador to Japan, is seen as a potential Democratic presidential candidate and a longtime defender of Israel. In a speech scheduled for Wednesday at Tel Aviv University, Emanuel will declare that “the most important thing a true friend can do is to tell the truth even when it’s painful,” while denouncing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and proposing a “23-state solution” involving Israel, the Palestinians, and the 21 Arab nations. Emanuel's visit is marked by his intention to avoid interactions with Israeli elected officials to not interfere with the country's upcoming elections, as he addresses the declining support for Israel among Americans, especially Democrats, since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terror attacks.