NEW YORK (VINnews) — Senior Democrats reviewing the party’s 2024 election losses concluded that the Biden administration’s handling of the war in Gaza contributed to former Vice President Kamala Harris’ defeat, according to a report by Axios.

The report, citing people familiar with the findings, said Democratic National Committee officials determined the issue was a “net negative” for the party, particularly among young voters and progressives divided over U.S. support for Israel.

According to Axios, aides compiling the internal review held a private meeting with the IMEU Policy Project, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, which argued that U.S. backing of Israel hurt Democratic turnout. Axios reported that multiple people familiar with the discussions said party data similarly found the Gaza policy damaged Harris politically.

A DNC spokesperson confirmed to Axios that officials met with advocacy groups as part of the review but denied allegations that the report was being withheld because of its findings on Israel. Party leaders previously said the analysis would remain private to avoid distracting from future elections.

Harris, who sought to balance support for Israel with calls for a ceasefire during her abbreviated 2024 campaign, has since acknowledged that the administration could have expressed more public criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza. In her recent memoir, she wrote that President Joe Biden’s perceived “blank check” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighed on her candidacy.

The internal review has not been publicly released.