Democrats Increasingly Critical of Israel’s Military Response in Gaza
Title: Democrats Increasingly Critical of Israel’s Military Response in Gaza
In a significant shift, top Democrats have adopted an increasingly hostile tone towards Israel’s military response in Gaza, with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) even calling for a new election in Israel. This comes after President Biden and Vice President Harris criticized Israel’s actions, with Biden issuing his strongest rebuke yet, calling the military campaign “over the top.”
The war in Gaza, which began after Hamas’s attacks on Israel, has led to the deaths of around 30,000 Palestinians, including women and children, and the displacement of nearly 2 million people. Democrats, under pressure from liberal activists and protesters, have voiced concerns that Israel has gone too far in its response.
Public polling shows a deep divide within the Democratic Party, with a majority expressing disapproval of how Biden is handling the conflict. Arab Americans, Muslims, young voters, and people of color are particularly displeased, with some taking action such as voting “uncommitted” in primary elections to protest the war.
On Capitol Hill, Democrats are increasingly calling for a halt to U.S. military aid to Israel and supporting a permanent cease-fire. Schumer’s criticism of Netanyahu, a staunch supporter of Israel, has garnered attention and drawn some criticism from Republicans.
While Biden has toughened his rhetoric towards Israel, he has not gone as far as calling for new elections. However, Schumer’s call for change in leadership in Israel reflects the growing discontent within the Democratic Party over the handling of the conflict.
The enduring divisions within the party were highlighted after Schumer’s speech, with some Democrats feeling that words are not enough and calling for actual policy changes. The shift in tone towards Israel’s military response in Gaza underscores the complex dynamics at play within the Democratic Party as the conflict continues.
