Washington State Democratic Party Platform Blames Israel for Antisemitism

The Washington State Democratic Party finalized its 2026 party platform at a convention in Spokane, attributing the resurgence of antisemitism in recent years in part to actions taken by the Israeli government. The document further characterizes Zionism as a racist political ideology rooted in supremacy that perpetuates settler colonialism, occupation, and apartheid. In its foreign policy section, the party calls for an end to Israeli military occupation and the release of illegally detained Palestinians, while supporting investigations into genocide and war crimes regardless of the perpetrator.

Jewish leaders and organizations condemned the language as victim-blaming. Jesse Salomon, co-chair of the Jewish caucus of the Washington state legislature, stated the party spoke for the community without including them in the process. While a spokesperson for party chair Shasti Conrad claimed Jewish leadership was looped on the language submitted by the Legislative District 23 delegation, reports indicate the Jewish caucus was informed only after it was too late to implement changes before the vote.

Jim Walsh, chair of the Washington State Republican Party, criticized the platform as false and shameful. He described the act of blaming Israel for the rise in antisemitism as classic narcissistic behavior.