President Joe Biden was warmly greeted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an intimate meeting on Oct. 18 during his recent visit to Tel Aviv. The president’s visit to Israel has stirred up some controversy among pro-Palestinian activists over his response to Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza. These voters are vowing to withhold their support from Biden due to their dissatisfaction with his approach to protecting civilians in the region and are concerned that a potential Republican government might not be interested in safeguarding Palestinians at all.
Notably, both former President Donald Trump and the leading Republican nominees for the 2024 election have neglected to address the appalling civilian casualties in Gaza, several of whom were innocent children. While supporting Israel’s military actions, Republican figures such as Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott have advocated for even more extreme and violent measures to be taken against Hamas.
On the other hand, President Biden has publicly called on Israel to adhere to the “laws of war,” stressing the need to avoid civilian deaths as much as possible. He has also urged Israel to allow the safe passage of relief supplies to help Gaza’s injured and displaced residents. However, some opposition groups and voters have expressed that Biden’s actions thus far are insufficient and that they feel American policy has not done enough to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
President Biden has taken steps to engage with the Palestinian American and broader Muslim community, meeting with community members to find constructive solutions to the ongoing conflict. Some Palestinian Americans, though, still find his efforts not up to par with their expectations, and are considering withholding their support for Biden’s reelection.
Despite all this, it is crucial to consider the potential consequences of another term for Trump and what that might mean for Palestinians in Gaza and beyond. The dilemma for many is that while Biden’s actions and words may be more favorable to Palestinians compared to Trump, the plight of the Palestinian people remains incredibly challenging, and some disheartened voters cling to the belief that Biden is not doing enough.
