Some Democratic officials are being criticized for their handling of differing views on the war in Gaza, with many Democratic politicians, including President Joe Biden, expressing support for Israel’s military offensive while public opinion polls show that a majority of Americans support a ceasefire. This schism has been evident in instances such as a ceasefire protest at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC, where Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman dismissed the demonstrators as “pro-terrorist” and accused them of attempting to break into the building. Advocates say this response is indicative of a larger disconnect between Democratic politicians and the party’s base.
The rift between Democratic policy and public opinion has led to dwindling approval ratings, with Arab American support for Biden reaching an all-time low. Democratic leaders have also been criticized for appearing to vilify activists calling for a ceasefire, further contributing to the disconnect with their base. The scale of the violence in Gaza has made foreign policy a decisive issue for many constituents, and advocates warn that dismissing calls for a ceasefire could have repercussions for Democratic politicians within their core voting bases.