Israel tensions surface as Democrats plot US midterms

Democrats are clashing this week over the influence of pro-Israel lobbying on American politics and the US ally's military actions in the Middle East at a key strategy gathering ahead of November's midterm elections.Attendees at the three-day Democratic National Committee (DNC) conference in New Orleans on Thursday began weighing resolutions to recognize a Palestinian state, restrict military aid to Israel and denounce the growing influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).