Emanuel Urges Shift in U.S.-Israel Ties During Tel Aviv Speech

Former U.S. ambassador Rahm Emanuel delivered a more than 30-minute address at Tel Aviv University on Wednesday calling for major changes in the U.S.-Israel relationship. " He argued that the alliance stands at a crossroads and requires a new approach.

Emanuel called for replacing the two-state solution framework with a 23-state solution involving the 21 Arab nations. " He also proposed sanctioning Israelis who attack Palestinian civilians and property, along with companies and banks that support settlements in the West Bank.

Emanuel further urged ending U.S. subsidies to Israel's defense budget, stating the country should purchase American arms under the same terms as other allies.

Emanuel noted that support for Israel is plummeting around the world and that Israel has lost Europe as its biggest economic partner. He said the country has never been more strategically isolated. A recent poll showed roughly half of Democrats believe Israel has committed genocide in its war with Hamas, while 58 percent said the U.S. is too supportive of Israel.

>"The hard truth is that America's silence for years has engendered the worst of your domestic politics. " — Rahm Emanuel, July 8, 2026 (Fox News) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not responded to the speech. Netanyahu has previously rejected reports of a rift with President Trump and said the two remain aligned on Iran.

The speech comes amid Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza that began after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Health officials in the Palestinian territory report more than 73,000 people have been killed in the response.