Former President Donald Trump accused President Joe Biden of hating Israel, the Jewish people, and Palestinians, making controversial claims about the Charlottesville rally and pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses as part of an attempt to court Jewish voters. Trump compared the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, where violence erupted between white supremacists and counter-protesters, to recent pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, blaming Biden’s frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for enabling the protests.
Trump has previously accused Biden of abandoning Israel, stating that any Jewish person who votes for Democrats hates their religion. His increasing criticism of Biden’s Israel policies is aimed at appealing to conservative Christians, staunch Israel backers, and Jewish voters who prioritize unwavering support for Israel. While the majority of Jews still identify as Democrats, there has been a decrease in support for the party among Jewish voters in recent years, with margins that could have an impact on the upcoming election, particularly in swing states like Pennsylvania.
Biden has faced criticism from both progressives who believe he has not done enough to oppose the violence in the Israel-Hamas conflict and Jewish Democrats who are strong supporters of Israel. The issue has created a divide within Biden’s base, with differing views on how the U.S. should approach the conflict. Trump’s attacks on Biden’s handling of Israel policies come at a time when American opinions are divided on whether Biden is favoring Israelis too much or striking the right balance in addressing the conflict.
The recent pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and other college campuses have brought the issue to the forefront, with tensions escalating and incidents of antisemitism and harassment reported. Republican lawmakers have criticized university leaders for failing to control the protests, while some have called on the Biden administration to intervene and restore order to campuses. Biden has expressed his commitment to the safety of Jewish people and the security of Israel while condemning harassment against Jewish students on college campuses.
While the Israel-Hamas conflict is significant to some voters, particularly among Biden’s progressive base, it may not be a top priority for the majority of younger voters. Recent polls show that while Biden is losing support among younger voters, the Israel-Hamas war does not rank as a top concern for this demographic in the upcoming election. The Biden camp reportedly views the protests as representative of a small subset of voters and does not believe it will significantly impact his standing with his younger base. As the election approaches, the issue of Israel and the response to the conflict will continue to be a point of debate and contention among different voter groups.
