Congressional candidates split on support for Israel and war with Iran

News admin July 23, 2026 0 Comments

Congressional candidates split on support for Israel and war with Iran

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Israel’s conduct in the Middle East and the war with Iran are emerging fault lines in the Democratic contest for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District between U.S. Rep. Ed Case and challenger Jarrett Keohokalole.

The issue is also dividing Democrats in Washington. In a test vote last week, House Democrats split evenly on whether to ban $3 billion in security aid to Israel.

Keohokalole said he would have voted with the roughly 100 Democrats — including U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda — backing the ban.

“I don’t think we should give any more money for Israel to wage war,” Keohokalole said.

Case voted against the ban, but said he has serious concerns about Israel’s response in Gaza following the attack on Israel by Hamas rebels backed by Iran.

“I definitely did disagree with Israel’s response to the attack on Israel — the severity, the disproportionality, the incredible tragedy of so many civilian deaths,” Case said. “I am a straight-up opponent of the current leadership of Israel.”

Case also said he supports a homeland for Palestinians and opposes Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

On the war with Iran, Keohokalole criticized what he described as Case’s lack of clarity.

“I haven’t read or heard Ed Case say, ‘I opposed the war in Iran and we need to stop the fighting now,’” Keohokalole said. “I haven’t heard him say, ‘Not one more taxpayer dollar’ toward extending this conflict. It needs to end now.”

Case said Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons, to control shipping or to support terrorism. But he argued Congress should decide when war is necessary — a push that could depend on a Democratic majority.

“That would certainly be on the top of the list if we’re still involved in Iran,” Case said. “That’s number one: to assert Congress’ power and obligation to decide when we do and don’t go to war.”

Keohokalole said that argument rings hollow while Case holds the seat.

“It’s one thing to say, yeah, we’ll push back when we get the Congress, but you have the seat now,” he said. “You can use your voice right now. And I think that’s the big difference here.”