# In NE-02 primary, Democratic candidates find consensus on Israel-Palestine but reveal nuanced differences **Published:** 2026-05-09T10:30:36.000Z **Source:** [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/in-ne-02-primary-democratic-candidates-find-consensus-on-israel-palestine-but OMAHA, Neb. — As the six-candidate Democratic primary for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District approaches its conclusion, [the candidates sound strikingly similar on one of the nation's most divisive foreign policy issues: support for Israel coupled with backing for a Palestinian state](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/). Yet subtle differences in their approaches to the Middle East conflict have begun to emerge in recent weeks. [All candidates who spoke with the Nebraska Examiner said they believe a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians is the best option](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/). But their emphases diverged on questions of military aid, blame for the conflict and the extent of U.S. support for Israel. State Sen. John Cavanaugh, political action committee co-founder Denise Powell and Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades — the race's top three contenders — blamed President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for escalating regional tensions. Navy veteran Kishla Askins took a measured position, saying the U.S. can "support Israel's security and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza at the same time." Self-described Democratic Socialist Melanie Williams took the strongest stance, accusing the U.S. of funding and enabling what she called a "genocide." When asked about continued U.S. military aid to Israel, divisions became more apparent. [Powell and Cavanaugh sidestepped the question](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/), with Powell noting "in our polarized political climate it has been difficult to have a nuanced conversation about this issue." Askins said she would "continue funding defensive systems," such as the Iron Dome, while ensuring offensive weapons decisions comply with U.S. law. [Rhoades said she would seek conditions on how American military aid to Israel is used, the same as the U.S. does with its other allies](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/). The Israel-Palestine debate has taken on new significance in the primary as Democrats nationwide grapple with [Middle East tensions that crystallized when pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside an Omaha hotel where former President Joe Biden spoke in November](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/08/biden-visits-omaha-with-kentucky-governor-as-nebraska-dems-eye-2026/). The primary election on May 12 will determine which Democrat faces Republican Omaha City Councilman Brinker Harding, the presumptive GOP nominee. [At a Nebraska Young Democrats forum in January, both Cavanaugh and Powell pledged not to take money from AIPAC or the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/22/powell-once-again-leads-in-fundraising-for-ne-02-dems/). Cavanaugh, who is backed by J Street PAC, a liberal Jewish organization critical of Netanyahu's leadership, has since accused Powell of receiving support from AIPAC-aligned groups, while [Powell said she hasn't "accepted any money from AIPAC, J Street, DMFI, any organization in this space."](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/22/powell-once-again-leads-in-fundraising-for-ne-02-dems/) [Powell has led the fundraising race, raising nearly $1.5 million and spending more than $1 million](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/22/powell-once-again-leads-in-fundraising-for-ne-02-dems/), while [Cavanaugh has raised more than $1 million and spent $689,000](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/22/powell-once-again-leads-in-fundraising-for-ne-02-dems/). [The 2nd District, which includes Omaha and surrounding suburbs, is one of only three House districts nationwide represented by a Republican but carried by Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024, making the race a key Democratic target nationally](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Nebraska). ## Sources - [Nebraska Examiner](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/) - [Nebraska Examiner coverage of Biden visit and pro-Palestinian protests in Omaha](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/08/biden-visits-omaha-with-kentucky-governor-as-nebraska-dems-eye-2026/) - [Nebraska Examiner Q1 2026 fundraising report for NE-02 Democratic candidates](https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/22/powell-once-again-leads-in-fundraising-for-ne-02-dems/) - [Wikipedia entry on 2026 U.S. House elections in Nebraska](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Nebraska) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Nebraska Examiner, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/05/09/ne-02-race-dems-sound-similar-on-israel-palestine-but-subtle-differences-exist/.