President Biden’s Support for Israel Faces Criticism within His Party

President Biden is facing pressure from within his own party as some Democrats criticize the Israeli response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. While Biden has resisted calls for a cease-fire and has largely remained silent on the Israeli military’s actions, other Democrats have raised concerns about the rising death toll among Palestinian civilians and the pace of humanitarian aid. A group of senators, including Chris Murphy and Chris Van Hollen, called on Biden to work with Israel, Egypt, and the United Nations to deliver fuel into Gaza to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Administration officials say they are holding Israel accountable, but are conducting tense diplomacy in private. Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El-Sisi on Sunday, emphasizing the need for increased humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians. Critics within the Democratic Party worry that Biden’s stance on the conflict could alienate younger voters and hurt his political standing. Gallup polls indicate a decline in Biden’s job approval ratings among Democrats, with some attributing the drop to his handling of the conflict.