Josh Turek

As a state legislator Turek voted to condition a pro-Israel resolution on "adherence to international humanitarian law," then voted for it when the amendment failed. Jewish Insider reported his campaign declined to say whether he would suspend U.S. arms sales to the government of Israel.

Turek is an Iowa state representative and the Democratic Senate nominee, running a campaign focused on health care and economic issues. His only recorded acts on this question are from the statehouse, and they pull in both directions at once.

In early 2025 he supported an amendment that would have conditioned the Iowa House's pro-Israel resolution on "the State of Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of innocent civilian lives," per Jewish Insider. The amendment failed, and he then voted for final passage of the unamended resolution, which condemned antisemitism, supported Israel, and expressed solidarity with the victims of October 7. Jewish Insider's own words carry the open question: "Turek's campaign declined to comment on his votes, or on his position on efforts to suspend U.S. arms sales and transfers to Israel."

An April 2026 interview clip reportedly has him saying the United States should not keep using taxpayer dollars to support a country that is violating international law; the only source is a video we did not watch, so that is reported, not asserted. In September 2025, asked about allied governments recognizing a Palestinian state, he did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.

He has answered the humanitarian-law question with a vote and left the arms question unanswered. If you want the answer, you are better placed to get it than we are: ask Turek directly and send us the reply.

Research

U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel

[Position, 2025-09-04, reporting on early-2025 votes] Jewish Insider, read and verified: supported the failed amendment conditioning the Iowa House pro-Israel resolution on "the State of Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of innocent civilian lives"; voted for final passage after the amendment failed; "Turek's campaign declined to comment on his votes, or on his position on efforts to suspend U.S. arms sales and transfers to Israel." A Jewish Insider Facebook photo post carries the same item.
[Position, 2026-04-26, reported; unwatched video] Interview clip on Gaza civilian casualties: the U.S. should not continue using taxpayer dollars to support a country if it is violating international law (YouTube short). Reported attributively; not asserted.

U.S. aid to Palestinians

Nothing located.

Characterization of the conflict

[Position, early 2025, per Jewish Insider] Supported statehouse language affirming human rights and condemning war crimes, crimes against humanity, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians by any party.
[Position, 2025-09-23] Did not respond to the Washington Reporter's request for comment on allied recognition of Palestinian statehood (read; the outlet's own words; the same page covers Hinson and Wahls).

Related rhetoric and lobbying

[Position, 2026-07-24] Times of Israel analysis describes his campaign as "prairie populist," focused on domestic issues rather than Middle East policy.
[Position, 2026-05-29] On Schumer-alignment attacks (JNS): "I'm not running against Schumer. I'm running against Ashley Hinson and Trump." Race framing, not an Israel position.

Safety and antisemitism (context)

[Position, early 2025, per Jewish Insider] Voted for the Iowa House resolution condemning antisemitism, supporting Israel, and expressing solidarity with October 7 victims; also supported an amendment condemning the pardoning of antisemitic January 6 participants.