Indian-American Congressional Candidate Sparks Row Over Israel Stance

Tina Shah, a physician and former White House adviser during the Obama administration, is running in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District. In a leaked audio clip from April 26, Shah described herself as a pro-Israel candidate who supports unconditional aid to Israel, stating she is the only candidate in her race to do so.

The audio clip has gone viral on social media platforms, drawing strong reactions from both progressive activists and pro-Israel Democrats. The clip has reignited a debate within the Democratic Party over the Gaza war and ongoing Middle East tensions, including the conflict with Iran.

Shah’s remarks come as the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to drive political debate in Washington, with progressive lawmakers such as Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticizing US military aid to Israel and pushing for greater protection for civilians in Gaza.

The issue has become a key fault line within the Democratic Party, with some Democrats maintaining strong support for Israel, while others have called for restrictions on weapons transfers and increased humanitarian assistance. The party is expected to continue debating the issue, with some lawmakers likely to face pressure from constituents and advocacy groups to take a stance on the conflict.

The Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District is set to continue, with Shah’s remarks likely to be a topic of discussion among voters and opponents. The party will likely respond to the controversy in the coming days, with some lawmakers potentially issuing statements or taking action in response to Shah’s comments.