According to the New York Times (NYT), young Democratic Party members are criticizing President Joe Biden for the 2024 election because of his support for Israel during the war against the terrorist organization Hamas. He is threatening to withhold the vote.
Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, Biden has pledged U.S. support for the country, using a speech in the Oval Office to introduce an aid package that would send money to Israel. Biden’s unwavering support for Israel could cost him votes in the upcoming presidential election among younger Americans who believe the president should be more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. according to To the New York Times. (Related: Biden says it would be a ‘big mistake’ for Israel to occupy Gaza, Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people)
“I feel so betrayed by Biden,” Angela Barya, a 28-year-old participant in a pro-Palestinian protest in Manhattan, told the NYT. “I will never vote for him again.”
The Sunrise Movement, a climate change activist group that worked to rally support for Biden’s 2020 presidential bid, said it and other young voters “raise doubts” about whether they would support the president for re-election. ” the group’s political director told The New York Times.
“If Democrats and President Biden continue to send arms and military aid to Israel, we risk losing a generation and it is a very dangerous choice ahead of a critical election year,” said Sunrise Movement Political Director. , says Michele Windling. he told the outlet.
Demonstrators rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza on October 18, 2023, along Steinway Street in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York City. The area has a high concentration of residents from Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, and other countries in the region. (Photo by Spencer Pratt/Getty Images)
During Biden’s visit to Israel, he said he “wanted to go personally” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to emphasize his support for Israel, saying Americans were saddened by Israel and very concerned about war. added. The president announced in Israel that the United States would give $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza and the West Bank.
Left-wing Muslims and Arab Americans are also declining support for Biden, citing his pro-Israel stance. Arab-American and Muslim leaders say the president has not done enough to support the Palestinian people and the region feels he has “betrayed” them.
Kareem Hawa, who organized the student protests for the Palestinian Youth Movement, said: “President Biden has shown the nation that there is virtually no difference between Republicans and Democrats on the issue of mass atrocities against Gaza.” ” he told the New York Times.
