Jim Desmond
Desmond has taken no public position on U.S. military aid to the government of Israel or U.S. aid to Palestinians. At a July 2025 Dana Point event he stated support for Israel and Greece and opposed Turkey acquiring U.S. F-35 fighter jets.
The first search found no statement from Desmond on U.S. military aid funding levels or arms transfers to the government of Israel, and nothing on U.S. aid to Palestinians. His closest weapons statement is indirect: at a July 29, 2025 American Hellenic Council fundraiser in Dana Point, he answered a question on Turkey and the F-35 by "stating his support for Greece and Israel and opposition to Turkey acquiring the F-35s."
As a San Diego County supervisor, in October 2023 he held a press conference urging a shutdown of the U.S.-Mexico border to new migration, saying foreign fighters from the Israel-Hamas conflict could try to cross; a border expert quoted by KPBS called the plan "completely unhinged." In December 2023 he commended Hillel of San Diego, calling October 7 a "terrorist attack by Hamas" and "the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust."
In February 2024 he abstained from a Board of Supervisors vote to reappoint an imam to the county Human Relations Commission, saying he was uncomfortable with the appointment amid complaints of antisemitism about the commission's conduct (San Diego Jewish World, Times of San Diego).
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- 2025-07-29 [Current position; verified]: At an American Hellenic Council fundraiser in Dana Point, answered a question on Turkey and the F-35 by "stating his support for Greece and Israel and opposition to Turkey acquiring the F-35s." American Hellenic Council (published 2025-08-24; event date confirmed by the source). This concerns U.S. weapons to Turkey, not to Israel.
- No other public position found on U.S. military aid funding levels or arms transfers to the government of Israel, and none on U.S. aid to Palestinians.
Characterization of the conflict
- 2023-10-26 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Framed the Israel-Hamas war in border-security terms, saying foreign fighters from the conflict could attempt to cross the southern border; held a press conference urging a border shutdown to new migration. KPBS (an expert quoted calls the plan "completely unhinged").
- 2023-12-05 [Months after October 7, 2023; date is the first search’s inline date, source page undated]: Called October 7 a "terrorist attack by Hamas" with over 1,200 deaths, "the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust." Supervisor site.
Rhetoric and lobbying
- 2023-10-26 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Press conference linking a demanded U.S.-Mexico border shutdown to national security threats from the Israel-Hamas war. KPBS.
- 2025-07-29 [Current position; verified]: Engagement with American Hellenic Council leaders on Eastern Mediterranean issues; support for Israel and Greece against Turkish regional actions; expressed willingness to meet the Council after the election. American Hellenic Council.
Safety and antisemitism (context, not a weapons or funding position)
- 2023-09-19 [Earlier record]: Supported county measures tied to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors' Resolution on Antisemitism (no person or group should face discrimination or violence based on identity). County letter PDF (document does not name Desmond on reading it; weak source, caution).
- 2023-12-05 [Months after October 7, 2023]: Issued a commendation recognizing Hillel of San Diego (CSU San Marcos chapter) for supporting Jewish students amid rising antisemitism after October 7. Supervisor site.
- 2024-02-06 [Current position]: Abstained from the Board of Supervisors vote to reappoint an imam to the county Human Relations Commission, saying he was uncomfortable with the appointment amid antisemitism complaints about the commission's conduct. San Diego Jewish World commentary (2024-02-06, opinion piece), Times of San Diego (2024-02-28).
Other sources found
- Legis1 on CA-48 2026 super PAC funding (2026-06-01; candidacy context), Wikipedia (bio).
Also in this race: Marni von Wilpert (Democrat) · All California candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.