Biden's Handling of Israel-Hamas War Receives Low Approval Amid CampusProtests

President Joe Biden's handling of the Israel-Hamas war has received low approval ratings, with only 7% of voters citing it as a key issue in the 2024 election, according to recent polls. The conflict has divided the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, with some criticizing Biden's response to the situation.

Why this matters: The Israel-Hamas conflict has significant implications for American foreign policy and domestic politics, as it can influence voter decisions and shape the country's relationships with key international partners. How Biden navigates this issue may impact his reelection chances and the broaderpolitical landscape.

Protestsand arrests on college campuses have escalated, with Republicans seizing the opportunity to attack Biden, casting him as weak and unable to maintain control. In a brief statement, Biden struck a balance between defending free speech and describing the limits of acceptable protest, saying,"Dissent is essential to democracy... But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others."

Despite the criticism, Biden campaign advisers believe the issue is unlikely to significantly harm the president in the election. Polls have shown that Israel's war in Gaza ranks below other concerns, including the economy, abortion rights, and healthcare, among young voters. A recent Harvard Youth Poll found that only 2% of 18-29-year-olds named the Israel-Palestine conflict as their top worry.

Biden faces a challenging balancing act, as he needs to navigate the demands of young progressive voters who are furious about his handling of the Gaza war with the concerns of more moderate voters who may be swayed by former President Donald Trump's claims of chaos and instability. Biden's conventionality and lack of engagement in the Vietnam-era activist movement may exacerbate his optics problem with younger voters.

The Gaza protests have exposed a deep vulnerability in Biden's reelection race, particularly among younger voters who typically vote disproportionately for Democrats. The war has caused a shift in American politics, with a younger generation empathizing with Palestinians and breaking with their more traditionally pro-Israel elders. Biden's stance on Israel, which dates back to the 1970s, has become a risky one domestically, with many Democratic base voters deeply committed to opposing Israel's right-wing government.

As the 2024 election approaches, President Biden will need to carefully navigate the complex and divisive issue of the Israel-Hamas conflict. While polls suggest it may not be a topimportantfor most voters, the president's handling of the situation could still impact his support among key demographics, particularly younger progressive voters who are increasingly sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

Key Takeaways

• Only 7% of voters consider Israel-Hamas war a key 2024 election issue.
• Biden's handling of the conflict divides liberal Democrats.
• Young voters prioritize economy, abortion, and healthcare over Israel-Hamas war.
• Biden faces balancing act between progressive and moderate voters.
• Israel-Hamas conflict poses risk to Biden's support among younger voters.