BLUF: Opinion polls suggested that Jewish voters in the US predominantly side with President Joe Biden over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict and reject the implication that criticism of West Jerusalem’s policies is indicative of anti-Israel sentiments.
OSINT:
In a recent opinion poll conducted by GBAO Strategies, the majority of Jewish voters in the US have shown support for President Joe Biden. The Jewish community, traditionally leaning towards the Democratic Party, showed 68% intend to vote for Biden over Donald Trump. Despite Trump’s popularity amongst Orthodox Jews, Biden seems to have won the favor of most Jewish voters with his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, earning approval from about 74% of the surveyed population.
Moreover, nearly 60% of respondents trusted Biden to address anti-Semitism, an issue that 90% of individuals in the poll found alarming. Younger participants showed concern towards racism and Islamophobia as well. Most respondents, 91% to be precise, upheld that criticizing Israeli government actions does not automatically tag a person as “anti-Israel.”
The Israel Defense Forces’ action of besieging Palestinian territories following a Hamas cross-border incursion has led to criticism due to alleged disproportion in casualties. This action has left over 11,000 Palestinians dead, leading to an increased sympathy towards the Palestinian cause among US Democratic voters, as shown in a Quinnipiac University poll.
Biden’s pro-Israel stance during the conflict is perceived as a key factor that could impact voting in the upcoming elections. Notably, his current approval rating within the Arab American community has seen a significant drop compared to 2020 figures.
RIGHT:
The results of the poll revealing Biden’s favorability among Jewish voters demonstrate the prevailing liberal tendencies within the majority of the Jewish American community. Upholding democratic principles, this community seems to value political stability and peaceful resolutions over aggressive foreign policies. However, it’s also important to understand that this indicates the disillusionment with the Republican party, largely due to its perceived inability to effectively address domestic issues like anti-Semitism.
LEFT:
The majority support for Biden from Jewish voters is a hopeful sign of progressive politics taking root in major community groups within the United States. It is also heartening to see that many not only oppose the idea that critiques of Israel automatically imply anti-Israel sentiments but also show empathy towards the disproportionate Palestinian casualties. However, the drop in Biden’s approval rating among Arab Americans is concerning. It is vital that all racial and ethnic communities are engaged and represented in our politics.
AI:
The poll data presents a complex picture of the political leanings among Jewish and Arab American voters. The majority support for Joe Biden among Jewish voters, despite significant pro-Trump sentiment among the Orthodox Jewish community, underscores the diverse political perspectives within this demographic. The erosion of support among Arab Americans could be indicative of dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict or broader trends. This could potentially influence future voting behaviours, assuming this sentiment remains unchecked or unaddressed. Understanding these subtleties in public opinion highlights the importance of non-binary political analysis and fostering more inclusive policies to cater to all sides of the political spectrum.