President Joe Biden is facing challenges in recreating the coalition that helped him win the presidency in 2020, as the protest movement against Israel’s war in Gaza spreads across college campuses. Pro-Israel Democrats are urging the president to respond more forcefully to antisemitic incidents at colleges and universities, aligning with Republicans who claim that the escalating demonstrations are a sign of incompetence within the White House. Democrats have been cautious in addressing the conflict in Gaza, but as protests intensify and Republicans increase their attacks, Biden’s efforts to maintain a united front are becoming strained.
The White House has taken a tougher stance on the protests, condemning the occupation of an academic building at Columbia University by pro-Palestinian activists. The president emphasized that forcibly taking over a building on campus is not a form of peaceful protest and disrupts the academic experience for the entire student body. Calls for Biden to take stronger action against the protesters continue, but doing so could risk alienating younger voters who disapprove of his handling of the war. Despite the shift in tone, the pressure on Biden to address the protesters persists.
House Democrats have issued an ultimatum to Columbia University’s board of trustees to disband the protest encampments or step down. The demonstrators at Columbia claim to have “liberated” the academic building in honor of a young Palestinian child killed during the conflict in Gaza. Republicans have seized on the protests to push for a crackdown on antisemitism on college campuses and to denounce efforts to curb Israel’s military campaign. GOP officials are calling on the president and other leaders to speak out against antisemitism and support Jewish students.
The escalating tensions between Democratic leaders and activists are reminiscent of past movements, such as the antiwar protests of the 1960s and Occupy Wall Street. Despite some unity among Democratic officials for supporting Israel, progressive leaders have criticized Israel’s tactics in Gaza and called for new checks on US military aid. The progressive base within the Democratic Party appears disconnected from elected officials, with many hesitant to defy the White House or fully endorse the protests. The lack of consensus within the party complicates efforts to address the growing demonstrations.
Biden has sought to condemn antisemitic protests while also acknowledging the Palestinian perspective. Democratic leaders like Sen. Chris Murphy have emphasized the importance of protecting peaceful protests and addressing the underlying injustice perceived by protesters. Republicans, on the other hand, have called for a crackdown on demonstrators and accused the Biden administration of allowing support for terror to spread. The ongoing debate reflects broader divisions within the Democratic Party over how to approach the conflict in Gaza and the protests on college campuses.
