Colby Watson
Watson told a WSOC candidate guide "the United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law," and that Israel's government and military "have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza."
Watson is the Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 8th District.
His answer in WSOC-TV's February 2026 candidate guide covers both halves in one paragraph: "I believe Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza. I condemn Hamas terrorism, and I also reject collective punishment of civilians. The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law. Our role should be to push for a sustained ceasefire, full humanitarian access, and the release of all remaining hostages."
On a settlement he said: "We need a real political solution, a viable two-state outcome that guarantees security for Israelis and genuine freedom, rights, and clearly defined borders for Palestinians. Peace cannot be built on permanent occupation or permanent war. It must be built on mutual security and self-determination." He framed the standard as consistency: "We have to apply the same principles we claim to believe in everywhere else: protect civilians, uphold human rights, and demand accountability."
His campaign platform states the rule more broadly: "Our foreign policy should also reflect our values. No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations."
He has no federal voting record.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2026-02-12] WSOC-TV candidate guide, opened and confirmed word for word, read under his own heading "Colby Watson (D)" on a multi-candidate page: "The United States should not provide weapons that enable violations of international law." In the same answer: "We have to apply the same principles we claim to believe in everywhere else: protect civilians, uphold human rights, and demand accountability."
- [Position, read 2026-08-12] His campaign platform on foreign policy, opened and confirmed word for word: "Our foreign policy should also reflect our values. No weapons should be given to governments engaged in human rights violations." The page also argues that the cost of past wars was "borrowed money, and the debt from those wars will be carried by future generations." A live page with no publication date, so read-date. Note the platform states the rule generally and does not name Israel; the WSOC answer applies it to Israel, which is why both are quoted.
- He has no federal voting record.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- [Position, 2026-02-12] Called for "full humanitarian access" and rejected "collective punishment of civilians" (confirmed verbatim, above).
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2026-02-12] "I believe Israel's government and military have committed serious human rights violations in Gaza. I condemn Hamas terrorism, and I also reject collective punishment of civilians" (confirmed verbatim). And: "We need a real political solution, a viable two-state outcome that guarantees security for Israelis and genuine freedom, rights, and clearly defined borders for Palestinians. Peace cannot be built on permanent occupation or permanent war. It must be built on mutual security and self-determination."
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- [Position, undated] His platform page on corruption argues that elected officials rely too heavily on special interests, and, as reported addresses foreign-aligned lobbying groups generally without naming any. He has not been recorded naming a pro-Israel organisation. Not opened.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing distinct located. His condemnation of Hamas terrorism appears in the passage above.
Consulted
- Ballotpedia; coverage of his primary win; several further pages of his own campaign site (about, issues index, civil rights, crime).
Also in this race: Mark Harris (Republican) · All North Carolina 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.