Democrats alienate base by criticizing Gaza ceasefire : Analysis

In Washington, DC, there is growing concern among advocates regarding the actions of certain Democratic officials who are alienating and antagonizing members of their own party due to differing views on the war in Gaza. Despite United States President Joe Biden and other prominent Democrats expressing strong support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, polls indicate that a majority of Americans and Democrats support a ceasefire.

The divide within the party was on full display in November when activists held a ceasefire protest outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman responded to the protesters by labeling them as “pro-terrorist” in a social media post. However, the protesters and journalists who were present at the scene denied Sherman’s allegation that they were attempting to break into the building.

Advocates argue that Sherman’s response is just one example of Democratic politicians smearing their own constituents over the Gaza war, further revealing a disconnect with the party’s base. Beth Miller, the political director at Jewish Voice for Peace Action, called these attacks by Democrats on ceasefire activists “pathetic” and “shocking”. She emphasized that public opinion polls show that a majority of Americans, including an overwhelming majority of Democrats, support an end to hostilities in Gaza.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey released last month found that 68 percent of respondents believed Israel should call a ceasefire and negotiate an end to the war, with the number rising to 77 percent among Democrats alone. Miller believes that these Democratic politicians are not only dismissing the public’s opinion but also misreading the political climate and the demands of voters.

The disconnect between Democratic policy and public opinion has resulted in dwindling approval ratings. According to the Arab American Institute, Arab American support for Biden has dropped 42 percent, reaching an all-time low. A recent NBC poll showed that 70 percent of voters under 34 disapprove of President Biden’s handling of the war.

Usamah Andrabi, communications director at Justice Democrats, criticized the Democratic Party for being out of touch with both its base and the broader electorate. He found it baffling that the Biden administration supports Israel’s far-right government more closely than a majority of Democratic voters.

Since the beginning of the conflict, several Democrats, including President Biden, have faced criticism for seemingly vilifying activists who call for a ceasefire. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded strongly to legislators allegedly equating Hamas terror attacks with Israeli actions. While it was unclear which statements she was referring to, activists interpreted her words as a condemnation of progressive lawmakers advocating for an end to the war.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman received praise from the far-right publication Breitbart for waving an Israeli flag at ceasefire protesters on Capitol Hill. Top congressional Democrats, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, held hands with Republicans during a pro-Israel protest and chanted “I stand with Israel”. The rally also attracted far-right figures accused of stoking anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

After the rally, two White House communications officials shared approvingly a Fox News story that condemned far-left calls for a ceasefire. The story quoted Democratic lawmakers, including Congressman Ritchie Torres, praising Biden’s support for Israel and labeling those demanding a ceasefire as “fringe”. An anonymous Biden administration official criticized the mainstream media for not being critical enough of Palestinian American Congressman Rashida Tlaib.

The criticism of Palestinian rights supporters continued when Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider gave an interview to Fox News, calling for the tax-exempt status of certain groups to be revoked, claiming they are diverting money to terrorist organizations. He specifically mentioned American Muslims for Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine, without providing evidence.

Andrabi believes that this kind of rhetoric corrodes the relationship between Democratic politicians and their supporters. He dismissed arguments that the war will not affect Biden’s standing with voters in the 2024 election. While foreign policy is usually not a top priority for voters, the scale of violence in Gaza has made it a decisive issue for many constituents.

Delaware State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton, who participated in a hunger strike calling for a ceasefire, expressed bewilderment at the mainstream Democrats’ position. She felt betrayed by President Biden and his failure to live up to expectations as a moral leader. New York State Representative Zohran Mamdani highlighted the widespread demand for a government that represents the people’s demands and expressed surprise that calls for a ceasefire are considered controversial.

Overall, this news article presents a shift within the Democratic Party where certain officials advocating for unquestioning support for Israel’s military offensive in Gaza are alienating and antagonizing their own party members. The article provides a range of sources, including quotes from advocacy groups and poll results, to support the claims made. However, some statements and criticisms are presented without sufficient evidence or context, making it crucial for readers to cross-reference the information presented.

It’s worth noting that the article appears to have a bias in favor of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and emphasizes the disconnect between Democratic politicians and their base. The article portrays certain Democratic politicians as out of touch and dismissive of public opinion. This framing may contribute to a nuanced understanding of the topic, presenting an interpretation that those politicians who support Israel’s military offensive in Gaza are acting contrary to the wishes of the majority of Democrats and the wider American public.

In terms of the overall impact of the information presented, it is difficult to assess without a clear understanding of the reach and influence of the media outlet publishing the article. However, given the prevalence of fake news and the current political landscape, where misinformation and political biases are prevalent on both sides, it is likely that this article could contribute to shaping public perception of the issue. Readers should approach the information critically and seek additional sources to form a more informed opinion.

Source: Aljazeera news: How Democrats are alienating their base by blasting a Gaza war ceasefire