Biden’s Support for Israel Sparks Backlash Among Democratic Primary Voters
In a surprising turn of events, Joe Biden’s support for Israel is causing some Democratic primary voters in Michigan to turn against him. Terry Ahwal, a long-time Democrat, voted “uncommitted” instead of supporting Biden in the state’s presidential primary election. Ahwal expressed her discontent with the situation in the Middle East and what she sees as the United States’ complicity in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She believes that President Biden is not listening to their voices and continues to send weapons that harm innocent children in Gaza.
Ahwal is not alone in her opposition to Biden’s stance on Israel. Layla Elabed, sister of Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman in Congress, has started a campaign called Listen to Michigan. The campaign encourages Democrats in Michigan to vote “uncommitted” as a protest against Biden’s support for Israel. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn, Michigan, has also endorsed the movement.
Biden has faced criticism for his backing of Israel during the recent Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israeli forces have laid siege to and bombarded the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, including children, health-care workers, and journalists. The United Nations reports that about 85% of Gazans have been displaced, and major infrastructure, including hospitals, has been left dysfunctional.
While Biden has criticized Israel’s actions as “over the top” and called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution, he has also pushed for additional financial and military aid to Israel. His campaign spokesperson emphasized that Biden is working closely with Muslim and Arab American communities and has urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties.
However, for Ahwal and others like her, Biden’s actions are not enough. She demands that Biden halt financial and military aid to Israel, pressure Israel to end the war in Gaza, stop vetoing UN resolutions calling for a ceasefire, and reinstate funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. She also wants Biden to stop “kowtowing” to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which she refers to as “fascist.”
Ahwal acknowledges concerns that withholding support for Biden may inadvertently help Donald Trump, his Republican rival, but she adamantly states that she will never vote for Trump. She is tired of choosing the “lesser of two evils” and believes Biden should show the same compassion he expresses for other causes when it comes to Palestinians.
The backlash against Biden’s support for Israel highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While some Democrats are unhappy with Biden’s stance, others argue that his approach strikes a delicate balance between supporting Israel and advocating for peace and human rights in the region. As the primary election unfolds, it remains to be seen how this issue will impact Biden’s standing among Democratic voters.
