Democrats Risk Long-Lasting Rift Over Israel-Hamas War

Democrats Face Growing Divide Over Israel-Hamas War The recent Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed a deep rift within the Democratic Party, with progressive lawmakers expressing their disapproval of Israel's actions and demanding a more even-handed approach to the conflict. While the party has traditionally been a staunch supporter of Israel, some members are now pushing for a shift in US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This divide among Democrats was on full display during the recent 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. While the Biden administration adopted a more traditional pro-Israel stance, calling for a ceasefire but not openly criticizing Israel's military actions, progressive Democrats were vocal in their condemnation of Israel's airstrikes in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of many civilians, including children. The most high-profile progressive critic of Israel within the party is Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who tweeted her support for Palestinians and criticized US arms sales to Israel during the conflict. She argued that the US should not be providing military aid to a country engaged in actions that violate human rights. Other members of the progressive "Squad," including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, have also been outspoken in their criticism of Israel. On the other side of the divide, more moderate Democrats have expressed concern about the party's shift away from its traditional support for Israel. They argue that the US has a longstanding strategic alliance with Israel and that it is important to maintain a strong relationship with the country, especially given the threat posed by Iran in the region. Moderate Democrats fear that a more critical stance towards Israel could damage the party's support among Jewish voters and donors. President Biden, a longtime supporter of Israel, has tried to navigate this divide by expressing support for Israel's right to defend itself while also advocating for a ceasefire and calling for the protection of civilians on both sides. However, his handling of the issue has faced criticism from both sides of the debate. Progressives argue that he has not done enough to hold Israel accountable for its actions, while more pro-Israel Democrats worry that he may be leaning too far towards the progressive wing of the party. This divide within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas conflict is not new, but it has become more pronounced in recent years. The party's base, particularly young progressive voters, has become increasingly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and critical of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians. In contrast, older and more moderate Democrats have traditionally maintained a more pro-Israel stance. This shift among Democratic voters reflects broader changes in American public opinion towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While support for Israel among Americans remains high, especially among Republicans, there has been a slight decline in recent years, particularly among Democrats. This shift is driven in part by a growing awareness of the plight of Palestinians and concerns about the impact of Israel's policies on their human rights. The Democratic Party's internal divisions over the Israel-Hamas conflict have important implications for US foreign policy in the Middle East. Traditionally, the US has been Israel's closest ally and has provided the country with significant military aid and diplomatic support. However, the growing progressive influence within the Democratic Party could lead to a shift in US policy towards a more even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This shift is already apparent in some policy debates within the party. For example, there is growing support among Democrats for conditioning US military aid to Israel on the country's adherence to human rights standards. This represents a significant departure from the traditional unconditional support for Israel's military that has been a hallmark of US-Israeli relations. The divide within the Democratic Party over Israel is not likely to be resolved soon. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has further galvanized both sides, and the issue is likely to remain a contentious one within the party. It remains to be seen how this internal rift will influence US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the long term. In the short term, the Biden administration is likely to maintain its traditional support for Israel while also attempting to address some of the concerns raised by progressive Democrats. This delicate balancing act is likely to be challenging, particularly as the conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon. The Israel-Hamas conflict has exposed a deep and growing divide within the Democratic Party over US policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Progressives are calling for a more even-handed approach and criticizing Israel's actions, while more moderate Democrats are concerned about the party's traditional support for Israel. This internal rift has important implications for US foreign policy in the Middle East and is likely to remain a contentious issue within the party.