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Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel was losing support within the Democratic Party in the United States and risked losing young Republicans and young evangelicals as well.
Blinken appeared as a speaker at the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) 2026 General Assembly alongside Mike Pompeo, who also previously served as U.S. secretary of state.
Referring to Israel’s conduct toward civilians in Gaza, Blinken said: “The Israelis largely did only the bare minimum of what they thought they needed to do for the people caught in the middle of the conflict (in Gaza).”
Pointing to “a kind of indifference and disdain” shown toward the well-being of civilians in Gaza, Blinken said: “But unfortunately, a great many people were caught in the middle of this and suffered terribly as a result.”
Blinken also recounted a conversation he had with Netanyahu in 2024 about the political consequences of events in Gaza.
He said he warned Netanyahu that Israel was losing Democratic Party support over Gaza, recalling that he told him: “You’re not just losing support in the Democratic Party, which may not be a problem from your point of view, you’re also going to lose young Republicans and young evangelicals.”
Saying perceptions of Israel have undergone a profound generational shift, Blinken noted that in his youth, Israel was “seen as David, surrounded by enemies, standing against Goliath,” and that this perception has now “flipped completely for the new generation.”
Stressing that the shift poses “a strategic challenge for Israeli leaders,” Blinken said the new situation would have consequences for U.S. politics and for future arrangements between Washington and Tel Aviv.
On military aid to Israel, Blinken said the country “appears to have realized that American funding will not continue indefinitely” and is accordingly preparing its own public “to bear the cost of its own weapons purchases.”
Blinken also warned that “eliminating by military means” Iran’s capacity to threaten maritime traffic “would lead to a serious escalation of the conflict.”
Noting the importance of “sustained economic pressure that will bring (Tehran) to the negotiating table,” Blinken said a diplomatic solution “may require a concession such as sanctions relief for Iran.”
Pompeo, for his part, expressed deep doubts that “a negotiated settlement could be reached” with Iran in the Middle East.
Pompeo said pressure on the administration in Tehran should be increased and the economic blockade maintained, adding that Iran’s “assets (inside the country) that could threaten Israel and the Gulf countries” should be targeted.
Stating that “no concessions” should be made in exchange for freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Pompeo said: “We should give the Iranians absolutely nothing.”
Pompeo said he does not believe Hamas will lay down its arms in the Gaza Strip, arguing that the Abraham Accords “allowed relations in the region to develop even though the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has not been resolved.”
Describing U.S.-Israel relations as “deep and unshakable” and “based on institutional ties,” Pompeo gave a personal example of intelligence cooperation between the two countries: “Israeli intelligence was very helpful in making sure I was where I needed to be and stayed away from places I shouldn’t be.”
Pompeo asserted that Israeli intelligence “regularly helps save American lives,” adding: “Without them, we could not carry out the intelligence work we need to do.”
Pompeo served as CIA director from 2017 to 2018 and as secretary of state from 2018 to 2021.
Blinken held the post of secretary of state from 2021 to 2025.
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