"Loyal to the Oil’: Discovering Faith During the Stanley Cup Finals"

 Biden Campaign Now Concerned About the Jewish Vote

Joe Biden

The unrest following the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza has raised concerns within the Democratic camp. Democrats are now worried whether this conflict will erode support for Biden among Jewish voters. With the presidential election in November, the political climate in the US is heating up. Democratic leader Biden is set to face his old rival, Republican Donald Trump.

Amid this election frenzy, attention is now on how the Israel-Hamas war has impacted Biden's standing among Arab-Americans and progressive Jewish-Americans in key states. Jewish Americans have a significant voter base that could influence the outcome, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Arizona.

The Biden campaign is actively engaging Jewish voters through initiatives like the 'Jewish Women for Joe' program, conducted regularly online via Zoom calls. They also plan to appoint a 'Faith Engagement Director' to connect with Jewish voters. Despite these efforts, several Jewish leaders have privately complained to CNN about a perceived lack of connection.

Leaders from the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) and Democratic voters have expressed frustration to CNN, feeling politically 'homeless' due to progressive allies abandoning them and Biden's inability to control the left wing of his party. 

In Michigan, Troy Zukowsky, head of the Michigan Jewish Democrats, shared concerns with CNN: "I've had several people ask me, 'Why would a Jew vote for a Democrat?'" He added, "I'm not worried about Jews voting for Trump; rather, I am more concerned about those who may vote for a third candidate and spoil the vote."

A recent White House press conference in the Rose Garden marking Jewish American Heritage Month highlighted the Biden camp's concern about Jewish voters. Interior Minister Alejandro Mayorkas and Domestic Policy Adviser Neera Tanden discussed combating growing anti-Semitism in the country. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer and National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also addressed the situation in Israel. When asked about an NSC officer's involvement in a student movement demanding justice for Palestinians, Kirby clarified that the officer was performing professional duties.

Biden's Long-Standing Support of Israel

A few weeks ago, Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, led a Jewish-centric campaign to raise funds. He stood outside Russ & Daughters, a fish shop on Manhattan's Lower East Side, answering questions. When asked what gives him hope, he referenced recent events.

The night before, protesters in kofiyehs (a symbol of Palestinian nationalism) waved a banner reading "Long live October 7" at a memorial in Lower Manhattan. On October 7 last year, Hamas fighters entered Israeli territory, killing many attendees of the Nova music festival. Shortly after, a museum director's home in Brooklyn was vandalized with red paint and a sign reading "White Supremacist Jew."

Private discussions have revealed concerns about Biden's stance on Israel. Since the Hamas attack, the West Wing and his political advisers have worried about how the situation could impact his re-election campaign. Biden continues to address anti-Semitism, a topic he has long engaged with throughout his career. He frequently cites his commitment to Israel and often refers to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where chants of "Jews will not replace us" were heard—a slogan reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Biden has stated that his anger over Trump's response to that rally spurred his 2020 presidential run.

As the Gaza conflict continues, pressure mounts on Biden to find a resolution. He has already stated that the war must end. Anti-Semitic incidents have become more frequent on college campuses and in protests across the U.S., adding to Biden's challenges. For instance, during the first weekend of June, protesters outside the White House chanted "Kill a Zionist." Biden and his spokespeople have condemned these incidents with strong language, often using terms like "horrific" and "sickening."

Trump's Relationship with Jewish Voters

With Biden's long-standing support for Israel, Trump is trying to distance himself from his previous confrontational stance toward Jewish Americans. Hundreds of Jews attended a conference of American Jews in Washington on June 18. During a debate with Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Haley Sophia, Morgan Ortagus told the audience, "If you want to see beautiful tweets, vote for Biden. If you don't want to see more dead Israelis, vote for Trump."

During the 2020 election, an AP poll indicated that Trump had the support of 30 percent of Jewish voters—the highest for any Republican candidate in decades. While in office, Trump moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, fulfilling a long-standing Israeli demand. Despite this, he expressed frustration over the lack of support from many Jewish voters. Last April, Trump commented that a Jew voting for Biden suggests a lack of love for Israel.