US Democrat Endorses Republican Amid Israel Policy Row as Canadian Unions Block Arms
US Representative Haley Stevens endorsed a Republican candidate over a Democratic rival amid Israel policy disputes, Canadian labor unions voted to block arms shipments to Israel, and an expert warned that Israel's military gains do not guarantee long-term security.
US Representative Haley Stevens of Michigan has sparked a major political controversy just days before the Senate election by announcing her endorsement of Republican candidate Mike Rogers instead of Democratic contender Abdul El-Sayed. The decision drew sharp rebukes from Democratic leadership, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while drawing praise from US President Donald Trump. The rift centers largely on policy regarding Israel, as El-Sayed has sharply criticized Israeli operations in Gaza and opposed US military assistance, whereas Stevens has enjoyed strong backing from pro-Israel lobbying organizations.
In Canada, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), an umbrella organization representing approximately 3 million workers, has approved a resolution urging workers to refuse to handle weapons and military equipment destined for Israel. The organization also called on the Canadian government to halt the transfer of military equipment to Israel, either directly or through third countries. The move comes amid criticism over ongoing Canadian military exports, with reports indicating that over 390 shipments from 21 manufacturers included ammunition, F-35 fighter jet components, and other defense gear valued at more than $44 million between 2023 and 2025.
Meanwhile, writing in Foreign Policy magazine, Georgetown University security expert Daniel Byman argues that while Israel has significantly weakened Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, it struggles to translate its military achievements into long-term security. Byman notes that over the past three years, Israel has deployed military force across multiple fronts, including Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip. However, ongoing conflicts continue to strain military reservists and deepen domestic divisions, while public support for Israel in the United States, particularly among younger demographics and Democrats, faces mounting challenges.
