President Biden campaigned on the promise of ending “perpetual wars.” But now ahead of next year’s elections, he faces a conflict in Gaza, Russian aggression against Ukraine and rising tensions between China and the United States over Taiwan. His stance on these challenges could affect his chances for a second term in the White House.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the number of Palestinian casualties from Israeli airstrikes has reached more than 7,000.
“I have no idea if the Palestinians are telling the truth about the number of people killed. I am sure that innocent people have been killed and this is the price of war,” said President Biden.
The statement angered Arab-Americans, Muslims and others who are unhappy with the president’s stance on the war in Gaza.
“This is absolutely shocking and inhumane. Would the president feel better if only 1,000 Palestinian children died?” says Robert McCaw of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Even American progressives are outraged. Nine members of Congress, mostly from the more liberal wing of Mr. Biden’s Democratic Party, voted against a resolution supporting Israel and condemning Hamas because it did not express regret for the loss of Palestinian lives.
Various polls show that more Americans support the Israelis than the Palestinians, although young people are more divided.
“Among American Jews, a very important group in terms of votes and financial contributions to the Democratic Party, the assessment of President Biden and his attitude has been almost unanimously positive,” says University of Virginia political science professor Larry Sabato.
Republicans in Congress are increasingly skeptical of Mr. Biden’s commitment to funding wars abroad, including House Speaker-elect Mike Johnson, who supports Israel but opposes further unconditional funding for Ukraine.
“The first package that I will present soon for voting in this room will be in support of our friendly country, Israel. And we are late”, he said.
Support among voters for President Biden’s policy on the issue has increased by 9 percent since the days immediately following the Hamas attack on Israel.
How much the war in Gaza will affect Mr. Biden’s campaign for a second term in 2024 will depend on whether or not the conflict expands. In neighboring Lebanon, cross-border attacks have intensified between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
“If we get directly involved in these perpetual wars, yes, Biden will suffer the consequences. But as long as he keeps American troops out of the line of fire, I don’t think it will stir up much debate. And I don’t believe that it will be a determining factor for the voters”, says prof. Sabbath.
Another key factor according to him: Limiting deaths among Palestinians and providing them with humanitarian aid.