Democratic aides in Congress break with their bosses in the Israel-Hamas war

They say they have struggled to reconcile their personal beliefs with their professional obligations, which by definition require them to keep their opinions to themselves and zealously advocate for the position of the congressman who employs them. They have voiced their dissent at internal meetings and struggled with what to say on phone calls with their constituents.

And many have concluded they have no choice but to speak out — albeit in most cases without using their names — in a remarkably public break from Capitol Hill’s cardinal rule that aides stay in the background should remain and never publicly contradict the boss.

“For a lot of people, this is a real red line,” said Jeremy Slevin, a senior adviser to Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who is among the few members of Congress in her party who have called for a ceasefire. “It is so horrific what is happening, and it is so elementary to be able to oppose, for example, the bombing of a refugee camp. And it feels like the conversation here on Capitol Hill is completely disconnected from reality – from the reality on the ground in Israel and Gaza, but also from the reality of the positions of their own constituents and staff.”

Most lawmakers in both political parties are staunchly pro-Israel. There is generally little tolerance on Capitol Hill for harsh criticism of the Jewish state, which some members of Congress — particularly conservative Republicans — almost reflexively label as anti-Semitic.

Some Democratic congressional staffers have been outspoken in their defense of Israel, in contrast to their colleagues who defy their bosses and generally feel compelled to remain publicly anonymous.

Adam Jentleson, chief of staff to Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, recently wrote on X: “Hamas just broke *a ceasefire* to slaughter innocents. Some think that Hamas will now magically adhere to a ceasefire. Some of us think this is unrealistic and that more innocents will be offered for slaughter.”

Mr. Fetterman, a progressive Democrat, has vociferously defended Israel and supported humanitarian breaks but not a ceasefire.

In an email to employees In late October, Mr. Jentleson reminded aides that while they could sign open letters anonymously, posts or comments on social media that contradicted the senator’s views were “prohibited.”

“You cannot use your status as a current Fetterman staffer to undermine John’s positions or otherwise make a public statement inconsistent with John’s views,” Mr. Jentleson wrote, adding: “As the saying goes, our names are not on the door. ”

Assistants typically play an important behind-the-scenes role in advising and guiding lawmakers’ policy positions. But the major public displays of dissent, including last week’s walkout at the Capitol and a wave of open letters to lawmakers, reflect a deep generational divide among Democrats over how far to go in criticizing Israel’s military campaign.

“I can’t think of any similar or comparable staff efforts,” said Mr. Slevin, who has worked in various jobs on Capitol Hill for more than a decade. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”

In recent weeks, hundreds of staff members have signed letters calling on members of Congress to approve a ceasefire. Dozens have shown up at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including just steps from the White House where some signs were hoisted reading: “Congress, your staff demands a ceasefire.”

“The votes of members of Congress have enormous power – we have seen it firsthand,” it said such an open letterwhich was led by Jewish and Muslim auxiliaries and signed by more than 550 staff as of November 9. “We now ask them to use that power to protect citizens in imminent danger.”

The signatories accused lawmakers of ignoring the plight of Palestinian civilians killed during Israel’s military campaign, while intently focusing on Israeli civilians killed and held hostage during Hamas’ October 7 attack. The Health Ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, estimates that 11,000 civilians have been killed there in the past month.

“We appreciated that nearly every member of Congress expressed swift and unequivocal solidarity with the Israeli people,” the letter said, “but we are deeply troubled that such shows of humanity have scarcely been extended to the Palestinian people.”