Last Friday, a senior political aide to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez gathered progressive pro-Palestinian groups on a Zoom call to discuss strategy. This meeting followed President Joe Biden’s announcement that his administration had paused an offensive weapons shipment to Israel. Ocasio-Cortez’s aide urged activists to give Biden credit for this historic move, despite backlash from Israel supporters. While many advocates for Palestinian rights praised Biden’s decision, some groups were hesitant to do so while Palestinian civilians continued to suffer in Gaza.
The Biden administration’s departure from traditional support for Israel during the conflict with Gaza has sparked a mix of reactions. While some hailed Biden’s actions as progress, others were critical of the lack of clarity in his ultimatum to Israel regarding military operations in Rafah. The Biden administration continues to provide military aid to Israel, raising concerns among pro-Palestinian advocates about the conflicting messages being sent. The State Department’s assessment of Israel’s compliance with international law also failed to provide a clear path forward for accountability.
Critics of Biden’s handling of the conflict point to the ongoing violence in Gaza and the lack of concrete action to end it. Progressive politicians and groups, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib and the Institute for Middle East Understanding Policy Project, have voiced dissatisfaction with Biden’s limited response. While some view Biden’s shift as a positive change, others argue that it falls short of what is needed to address the crisis effectively.
The pushback against Biden’s actions comes from various quarters, including pro-Israel groups, which have condemned his ultimatum to cut off weapons to Israel if certain conditions are not met. Biden’s decision has also raised concerns among moderate House Democrats and Democratic donors, leading to calls for a classified briefing on the issue. The White House’s disappointment with pro-Palestinian activists’ response underscores the political challenges of addressing the conflict in a way that satisfies all stakeholders.
Despite the mixed reactions to Biden’s stance on the Gaza conflict, there is a recognition among some that his shift represents progress in U.S. policy towards Israel. However, concerns remain about the lack of accountability for potential violations of international law by Israel. Pro-Palestinian activists continue to push for a complete halt to U.S. weapon transfers to Israel, citing public polling that shows opposition to Biden’s handling of the conflict. As Biden navigates the complexities of the situation, it remains to be seen how his administration will respond to the diverse range of views on the issue.
