The ongoing conflict in Gaza has caused considerable division within the Democratic Party as members of Congress and Democratic voters increasingly call for President Joe Biden to push for a ceasefire.
The number of deaths due to the conflict, predominantly among Palestinians, continues to rise, with Democrats questioning Biden's supplemental funding request that could finance ethnic cleansing in Gaza, as per TruthOut.
Gaza Conflict and US Foreign Policy
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 30: U.S. President Joe Biden listens as Vice President Kamala Harris introduces him during an event about his administration's approach to artificial intelligence in the East Room of the White House on October 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. President Biden issued a new executive order on Monday, directing his administration to create a new chief AI officer, track companies developing the most powerful AI systems, adopt stronger privacy policies and "both deploy AI and guard against its possible bias," creating new safety guidelines and industry standards.
Human rights groups have criticized the push against Islamophobia, claiming it is a poorly thought out strategy that could fuel the already rising hate crimes against Asian Americans and Muslims in the US. The United States' foreign policy towards the Middle East has created a volatile environment that significantly impacts domestic security, setting the stage for the rise of white supremacist terrorism and hate-based terror groups.
The hostility in Gaza has also strained relations between the US and China, once again showcasing how Washington's foreign policies can have a direct impact on domestic matters. The Biden administration finds itself facing mounting pressure to address the situation in Gaza more effectively.
The situation is particularly concerning given the apparent disregard for human life, with women, children, and older people making up the majority of victims. By ignoring such atrocities, the US government risks appearing to condone such behavior, which could encourage similar acts of violence at home. The current conflict in Gaza has been labeled genocide, an atrocity, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes by many people, including UN experts and officials.
However, the White House has stood firmly by Israel's side, providing it with weapons, diplomatic cover, and political support. This has sparked criticism across the political spectrum, with many people questioning why the US is supporting the destruction of Gaza while ignoring its implications for Palestinians' sovereignty, according to Big News Network.
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Arab American Disapproval of US-Israel Policy Under Biden
The US's support for Israel in the ongoing conflict is not only morally questionable, but it also has political consequences, especially concerning voter sentiments towards the Biden administration. According to a poll commissioned by the Arab American Institute, Biden's approval rating among Arab Americans has plummeted due to his pro-Israel stance. For example, his support from this group fell from 59% in 2020 to 35% before the current escalation in the Middle East.
The recent violence against Palestinians has caused it to drop to a mere 17%. This presents a significant political liability for Biden, especially since Arab Americans are a crucial voting bloc in battleground states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. If these trends continue, there could be severe consequences for Biden and his administration, affecting his grasp on power.
In the face of all these challenges, the treatment of the Jewish community in Florida is particularly striking. The Shul of Bal Harbour, a well-known center of the Jewish community, expressed its approval of Biden's support for the Israeli offensive against Gaza.
However, this also has a political contingent, with rabbis and community leaders calling for Jews to back Israel. This dynamic could influence how Jewish voters perceive Biden in Florida, which has moved to the right in recent elections.
On the other hand, in several swing states such as Michigan, Arab-American and Muslim communities are unhappy with the Biden administration's response, given the thousands of Palestinian casualties that resulted from Israel's ongoing offensive against Gaza.
The administration finds itself in a delicate position, needing to support Israel while trying to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Gaza from spiraling out of control, The Washington Times reported.
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