As tensions grow between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, some of the politics surrounding the conflict are changing.
Biden sided with the recent UN call for a ceasefire in the region. But some argue that this is just an attempt by the president to secure re-election.
This decision and observation comes at a time when some traditional parts of the Democratic coalition have questioned Biden’s continued and unwavering support for Israel and its military actions in Gaza.
RELATED: Trump declares November 5th to be ‘Christian Visibility Day’
“I think Trump is what the country needs at this very moment‘
CBS News affiliate WDBJ reports, “Several Muslims are expressing their distrust of President Biden and are united across a number of Congressional lines in saying America should not fund Israel’s war.”
“I think everyone recognizes that Israel has the right to defend itself from Hamas who conducted the barbaric attack on it,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “My concern is what Netanyahu’s right-wing extremist government is doing: not going to war against Hamas but going to war against the Palestinian people in general.”
The story continues (italics mine):
“People are dying and the truth is there are a lot of Muslims in these swing states that President Biden is going to need to win this reelection,” Kareem Worthey said. “My family is from Egypt and this war has had a negative ripple effect on all of us.”
Kareem Worthey joins many other American Muslims who believe the Biden administration is advocating genocide.
Anger and frustration are seen and felt in protests across the nation, and while unrest at the southern border and division in congress will undoubtedly have an impact on this year’s presidential election, Israel’s Hamas war has some, changing their position ahead of the November elections.
“I think if Trump was in office it would be different; with his negotiating tactics we could find common ground with American Muslims and innocent civilians in Gaza,” Worthey said. “I think Trump is what the country needs at this very moment.”
RELATED: Tulsi Gabbard said she turned down offer to become RFK Jr.’s vice president.
Trump addresses Arab Americans frustrated with Biden on Israel
This frustration on the part of Arab Americans with Biden on Israel has not gone unnoticed by Team Trump.
The Detroit Free Press reported in February: “The Trump campaign has expressed interest in reaching Michigan’s Arab-American and Muslim voters, according to a Dearborn Republican activist.”
Before a Donald Trump rally Saturday night in Waterford Township, his campaign officials met at a hotel in Oakland County near the rally site with several local Republicans, including three from the Arab-American community, he said Mike Hacham, of Dearborn, a Trump-supporting Republican,” the report noted.
Michigan is an important state for Democrats. But things aren’t going well there at the moment for Team Biden – And the Israel issue is a huge factor.
“Michigan has the highest concentration of residents with Middle Eastern heritage, and their votes could be up for grabs due to frustration with President Joe Biden over his policies in Gaza,” the Free Press noted. “Some Arab Americans have launched a ‘Leave Biden’ campaign and similar efforts urging voters to select “uncommitted” or to vote for anyone besides Biden in the Feb. 27 presidential primary in Michigan.”
Trump can garner some of these votes by taking a more hands-on approach to Israel and Gaza. Those votes, in turn, could be crucial to his 2024 prospects.
It will be interesting to watch how many Arab Americans might stay home. Or how many perhaps even vote for Donald Trump in these tense times.
