In a recent poll, Democratic candidate Nasser Beydoun has called for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race for the White House due to his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Beydoun, who is seeking to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, claims that Biden’s support for Israel has alienated a large portion of his base. He argues that the President’s actions have resulted in the loss of “key voting blocks” that previously supported him in the 2020 presidential election.
Beydoun, the former chairman and executive director of the Arab American Civil Rights League, stated, “As a Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, given the current environment, I cannot support this president as my party’s nominee.” He believes that Biden’s support for Israel’s efforts inside Gaza has caused the alienation of Arab Americans, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others, far surpassing their sentiments following President Trump’s Muslim travel ban.
Beydoun, who has previously donated to Democrats including Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, emphasized the need for elected officials to represent the needs of their communities. He argues that Michiganders need a voice in Washington that listens to and understands their needs.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused friction within the Democratic Party, with several elected members calling for a cease-fire. While Biden and other Western leaders have pushed for humanitarian pauses in the fighting, they have opposed a cease-fire, arguing it would benefit Hamas terrorists. This stance has faced criticism, both from within the Democratic Party and from government officials within the Biden administration.
On Tuesday, 400 government officials from various departments and agencies within the Biden administration signed a letter opposing the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and demanding a cease-fire. The signatories, who remained anonymous to protect against professional retaliation, called for de-escalation of the conflict, the release of hostages, restoration of basic services, and the passage of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 23 other progressive lawmakers have also called on Biden to support a cease-fire, citing “grave violations” against children in the war. They expressed concern that without an immediate cessation of hostilities, the conflict could lead to further loss of civilian life and risk dragging the United States into dangerous and unwise conflict with armed groups across the Middle East.
The tension among Democrats over their support for Israel has resulted in protests, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling for an immediate cease-fire. Recently, violent protests took place outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, with U.S. Capitol Police intervening to remove protesters.
Despite the growing criticism, Biden and his administration have remained steadfast in their support for Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas. They have strongly condemned the terror attacks on Israel and have argued that a cease-fire would not be in the best interest of the situation.
This article highlights the divisions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict and its impact on President Biden’s presidency. It also sheds light on the growing calls for a cease-fire and the criticism faced by the administration for its handling of the conflict.
