The Israel and Gaza conflict has created large rifts between various factions in the Democratic Party. The older and more traditionally liberal wing of the party has supported Israel’s operations in Gaza, while the younger more socialist faction has made its support for Palestinians front and center.
In Michigan, the large Muslim population that helped secure Biden’s victory in that state in 2020 is starting to turn against him. The New York Times reports:
That anger at the Biden administration’s response to the conflict in the Mideast is widely shared by Arab Americans in Michigan, especially in Wayne County, which includes the cities of Hamtramck and Dearborn, where Muslims have a large population and have been elected to top leadership roles.
Mr. Biden has made repeated gestures of support to Muslims and Arab Americans: In an Oval Office address on Oct. 20, he denounced Islamophobia and the death of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Illinois in what authorities have called a hate crime. Mr. Biden said he was “heartbroken” by the loss of Palestinian life in the war: “We can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have an opportunity,” he said.
Many Arab Christians and Muslims are starting to abandon Biden’s reelection efforts. Many are socially conservative, with the Palestinian issue the only reason for not supporting the Republican Party. Politico reports:
In the days since Oct. 7, Biden has enjoyed broad support among voters for his embrace of Israel and condemnation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. But he is facing anger from many Arab Americans, Muslims and their progressive allies over what they see as an uneven response and failure to push for deescalation.
Hala Hijazi, a Democratic donor and fundraiser who attended the Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House this year, said she is considering leaving the national finance network that supports Biden over his handling of the war. She said several of her family members have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, and fears for the lives of more of them.
The Israel issue has united most of the Republican Party politicians, as talks of non-intervention are discarded in Israel’s case. However, a larger part of the Republican Party base is advocating for neutrality or refusal to support Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza.
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