President Joe Biden’s efforts to rebuild the coalition that propelled him to victory in the 2020 presidential election are facing challenges due to growing protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, particularly on college campuses. Pro-Israel Democrats are calling on the president to respond more decisively to antisemitic incidents at universities, aligning with Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who view the protests as indicative of incompetence within the White House.
Democratic leaders have approached the conflict in Gaza cautiously for months, but as protests escalate, college officials consider canceling commencement ceremonies, and Republicans increase their criticism, the unity among Democrats appears to be fraying.
The White House and congressional leaders adopted a more forceful approach on Tuesday when addressing the overnight occupation of an academic building by protesters at Columbia University.
“President Biden respects the right to free expression, but protests must be peaceful and lawful. Forcibly taking over buildings is not peaceful – it is wrong,” stated Andrew Bates, White House deputy press secretary. He added that the president “condemns the use of the term ‘intifada,’ as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also denounced the protesters at Columbia, suggesting that the demonstrations were crossing into criminal territory. “Smashing windows with hammers, taking over university buildings is not free speech,” said the New York Democrat. “It is lawlessness and those who did it should promptly face the consequences that are not merely a slap on the wrist.”
Despite the tougher rhetoric, it is unlikely to quell the calls for Biden to adopt a stricter stance with the protesters, and it could also impact the president’s support among younger voters. Recent polls indicate that young voters overwhelmingly disapprove of Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. Moreover, the College Democrats of America, a pro-Biden organization, joined the campus protesters in support, acknowledging the “bravery” of students willing to risk arrest and suspension to “stand up for the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people.”
While the group reiterated its support for Biden and other Democrats in the upcoming election, it issued a cautionary note to the president’s campaign: “Each day that Democrats fail to stand united for a permanent ceasefire, two-state solution, and recognition of a Palestinian state, more and more youth find themselves disillusioned with the party.”
The escalating tensions were highlighted on Monday when nearly two-dozen House Democrats issued an ultimatum to Columbia University’s board: Clear the protest encampments or step down. Pro-Palestinian activists who occupied Hamilton Hall at Columbia stated they had “liberated” the building in honor of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian child killed alongside her family during the Israeli military offensive in Gaza City.
Outside, students chanted slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Palestine will live forever.” Protesters also displayed banners reading “Intifada,” and named the building “Hind’s Hall.”
Republicans seized on these developments to critique Democratic leadership. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the GOP would hold universities accountable for not protecting Jewish students on campus. “We need moral clarity on the issue,” Johnson said, adding that the Republicans need everyone from the president down to denounce antisemitism and ensure Jewish students can attend class without fear.
Former President Trump also weighed in, stating that the US’s stance on Israel was unclear, accusing Biden of not supporting Israel. Trump’s remarks came amid GOP plans to push through the Antisemitism Awareness Act, using a definition of antisemitism that ties it to support for Israel—a definition rejected by many Democratic moderates, progressives, and Jewish advocates.
The rift among Democrats grew when Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz responded to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ condemnation of Democratic leadership’s decision not to bring up his amendment to end offensive military aid to Israel. Moskowitz suggested Sanders was ignoring the more pressing issue of antisemitism. The exchange sparked a response from New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who defended Sanders, highlighting his family’s Holocaust history and his commitment to Jewish values.
The tension reflects the growing divide among Democrats and the broader political landscape as the 2024 presidential election approaches.
