Democrat Analilia Mejia and Republican Joe Hathaway clashed over Israel policy during a Wednesday debate for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, a seat being vacated by Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D).
The special election is scheduled for two weeks from now, making the debate a critical moment for both candidates to appeal to voters in a district with a sizable Jewish population.
During the debate, moderator Joey Fox of the New Jersey Globe asked Mejia whether she believed Israel's actions in its war in Gaza constituted a genocide.
What the Right Is Saying
Hathaway criticized Mejia's responses as out of touch with the district's Jewish community. "She then, in this race, sat in a synagogue, raised her hand and said that the idea of Jewish people existing in their ancestral homeland gives her incredible discomfort," Hathaway said, referencing an incident reported by the New Jersey Globe.
Hathaway further noted that Mejia was "the only Democrat to raise her hand and answer your question, Joey, that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza."
"These are positions that are radically out of touch with a district that has a thriving Jewish community, that is made less safe, more dangerous, by this extreme rhetoric. It has to stop," Hathaway added.
Hathaway also accused Mejia of "taking to Twitter to blame Israel for the attacks by Hamas terrorists" following the October 2023 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel.
Conservative commentators have echoed Hathaway's critique, arguing that Mejia's positions represent a departure from traditional Democratic support for Israel.
What the Left Is Saying
Mejia, in her response, condemned mass destruction in Gaza while criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I think I've been very clear on my position here, and I understand that many individuals are feeling conflicted about what we are seeing in Gaza, but here is the bottom line: 80 percent of Gaza is in rubble. Can we agree that that is wrong?" she said.
The Democratic candidate also referenced international humanitarian law. "Can we agree that cutting the electricity to water desalinization plants is not only wrong, but it goes against the Geneva Conventions and it is a war crime. Can we — can we agree that we can see that Benjamin Netanyahu is moving policies that actually undermine freedom and peace in the Middle East?"
Mejia later pushed back against Hathaway's characterization of her positions, calling his claims "not true" when he accused her of blaming Israel for the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Progressive allies have praised Mejia's willingness to speak directly about humanitarian concerns in Gaza, though some Democrats have worried such positions could be politically challenging in swing districts.
What the Numbers Show
The race is being watched closely as a bellwether for suburban swing districts. The 11th District, held by Sherrill since 2019, voted for President Biden in 2020 but has shown vulnerability in down-ballot races.
AIPAC's super PAC spent millions of dollars attacking former Rep. Tom Malinowski during the Democratic primary, in what analysts described as an effort to boost another Democratic candidate, Tahesha Way. Mejia ultimately secured the party's nomination.
The district's Jewish population is estimated at approximately 15-20 percent, making it one of the most significant Jewish constituencies in competitive House races nationwide.
The Bottom Line
The debate highlighted how Israel policy has become a defining issue in the New Jersey special election. Both candidates sought to frame their opponent's positions as out of step with the district's voters.
The race is expected to draw significant national attention and spending, given its implications for the House balance of power and the broader debate over Democratic positioning on Israel.
Voters will decide the special election in two weeks, with both campaigns likely to continue emphasizing their contrasting approaches to U.S.-Israel relations and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.