A chorus of over 100 Democratic donors and activists have sent a stark warning to President Joe Biden, cautioning that his administration’s staunch support for Israel amidst its conflict with Gaza could inadvertently hand a political victory to Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential race. Echoing a shared sentiment among progressives, the signatories express a deep concern that Biden’s alignment with Israel’s military actions.
The letter, disclosed by The New York Times, brings to light the escalating consternation within the Democratic ranks, where some of the most prominent donors, including those who have contributed six-figure sums to Biden’s campaigns in 2020 and 2024, are making their voices heard. Not only does the letter condemn the recent violence initiated by Hamas on October 7 but also it fiercely criticizes the subsequent Israeli military response for its catastrophic humanitarian implications in Gaza.
The Biden administration has been roundly criticized for providing advanced weaponry to Israel, including 2,000-pound bombs utilized in strikes that have devastated civilian neighborhoods and disproportionately affected women and children. As the human toll in Gaza mounts, with over 31,000 Palestinian casualties reported, the letter underscores the moral and political repercussions of an “unconditional” foreign policy stance that seems to counter the expectations of many Democratic voters.
Despite Biden’s early in-term declarations of “unwavering, rock-solid support” for Israel and his continued pursuit of additional 14.3 billions in military aid, the letter presses for immediate policy redirection.
“As donors and activists, we have committed much time and treasure in helping increase the turnout of likely Biden voters, particularly among young voters and voters of color,” the letter states.
The signers argue that the disillusionment caused by the ongoing conflict and the administration’s perceived complicity not only threatens to depress the turnout among young voters and voters of color but also raises the specter of a Trump resurgence—a scenario described as “a disaster” for both the United States and the Israel-Palestine situation.
“Many of these voters are now questioning whether the Democratic Party shares their values. If they stay home or vote for a third-party candidate, there is the very real danger that President Biden will be defeated in November.”
The letter details the urgency for conditions to be applied to further U.S. aid to Israel and calls for an immediate cessation of “all indiscriminate bombing and demolition.” This demand aligns with the broader progressive push for humanitarian aid to take precedence over military support.
The Democratic donors’ plea reflects a larger political trend, evidenced by the “uncommitted” votes cast by disillusioned Democrats in primaries and the mobilization of anti-war delegates for the Democratic National Convention. In the face of this mounting pressure, the Biden campaign has so far maintained that the President remains dedicated to securing peace in the region and downplayed the potential financial impact of such dissent on his campaign efforts.
Relevant articles:
– Dem Donors Warn Biden’s Support for Israeli War on Gaza May Hand Trump the White House
– War on Gaza: Biden donors say US president’s Gaza policy ‘increasing chances’ of Trump victory, Middle East Eye, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:43:00 GMT
– Biden donors laments support for Israel’s war on Gaza, warn over Israel-Gaza policy, Deccan Herald, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 03:09:52 GMT
– Prominent Jewish names join letter to Biden from progressive donors warning against ‘unconditional’ support for Israel, JTA News – Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:47:16 GMT