A recent poll has revealed that President Joe Biden’s position on Israel’s war in Gaza has created a divide among Jewish American voters, particularly along generational lines. The conflict has raised concerns about how it will impact voting preferences in the upcoming presidential election.
Traditionally, Jewish American voters have been considered a reliably Democratic voting bloc. However, US policy towards Israel and the war in Gaza has caused divisions within the Jewish American community and the broader Democratic base, leading to fears of a depressed turnout.
President Biden has expressed strong support for Israel and its military campaign in Gaza, which has sparked outrage among more progressive Jewish organizations. These groups have criticized Biden’s stance as the death toll in the Palestinian enclave continues to rise.
A January poll conducted by USA Today and Suffolk University showed narrow margins between Biden and his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, among Jewish American voters. While Biden received 37 percent support, Trump garnered 39 percent. The poll also indicated that foreign policy, specifically the conflict in Gaza, is a top issue for voters this year, with a majority of Americans supporting a ceasefire, something Biden has refused to call for.
Progressive Jewish organizations, such as Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), have been actively protesting Biden’s stance on the war in Gaza. Dana Kornberg, a member of JVP, has been participating in demonstrations across the country, questioning whether Biden can rally Jewish American voters before the general election. Kornberg expressed her dissatisfaction with Biden’s statements downplaying the Palestinian death toll and linking Jewish safety worldwide to Israel.
However, the perception of Israel’s actions in Gaza varies among different age groups within the Jewish American community. A poll from the Jewish Electorate Institute found that while Biden retains strong Jewish support overall, only 53 percent of Jewish voters aged 18 to 35 approved of his stance on the conflict, compared to 82 percent among other age groups. Despite this divide, the majority of Jewish voters still back Biden, with an estimated 68 percent planning to vote for the Democratic incumbent.
Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, attributed the high level of support for Biden among Jewish voters to shared values on various issues, including support for Israel. She also noted increased party engagement following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel in October.
Both pro-Israel and anti-Zionist Jewish American advocacy groups have reported a surge in membership since the beginning of the war in Gaza. The Jewish American population makes up approximately 2.4 percent of the total US population, with Jewish leaders holding 33 elected positions in Congress.
However, even within the Jewish representation in Congress, there are differing opinions on the level of support the US should provide to Israel’s far-right government. Senator Bernie Sanders, for example, has criticized the war in Gaza and proposed a resolution to investigate the use of US aid in human rights abuses. Nevertheless, opposing Israel can come with political consequences, as major pro-Israel groups have spent significant amounts of money against Democratic candidates who do not openly express support for Israel.
The upcoming election raises concerns for progressive Jewish voices, as they fear their views may go unheard. Critics argue that Democrats are not listening to their constituents’ calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and question why they should vote for candidates who do not represent their interests.
In summary, the war in Gaza has created divisions among Jewish American voters, particularly along generational lines. President Biden’s support for Israel’s military campaign has faced criticism from progressive Jewish organizations, while other Jewish voters continue to back Biden. The upcoming election will test the unity and influence of the Jewish American voting bloc.
