The nation’s largest Muslim advocacy group warned President Biden Wednesday that the latest polling on Israel’s war with Hamas is a call for him to reverse course and call for an immediate cease-fire.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations was referring to a Gallup poll released Wednesday showing that most Americans disapprove of Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Gallup found that 55% of Americans are against Israel’s military operations in the territory, a 10% increase from November. The same poll found that 36% of Americans back Israel’s action in Gaza, a 14% drop from November.
Among Democrats, the percentage who approve of Israel’s actions dropped in half to 18% from 36% in November. About 64% of Republicans support Israel’s operations compared with 71% in November.
Responders who identified as independents had their approval rating drop to 29%, down from 47% in November.
CAIR said Mr. Biden better beware of the sharp decline in support for Israel’s counterattack to Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre and should demand an immediate cease-fire.
“This Gallup poll is the latest wake-up call warning President Biden to change course, listen to the American people and take concrete action to end U.S. financial and military support for the genocide,” CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said in a statement.
“President Biden has the leverage to secure a cease-fire and full access to humanitarian aid by land, and he must use that leverage before the Israeli government bombs and starves thousands more to death with U.S. support,” the statement added.
Mr. Biden has sought to walk a tightrope with the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has expressed his support for Israel, saying the Jewish state has a right to defend itself. He has openly refused to call for an immediate cease-fire, instead calling for a limited pause as part of hostage negotiations.
At the same time, Mr. Biden’s patience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be wearing thin. The president has increasingly expressed frustration with Mr. Netanyahu, and some of the public barbs traded by the two leaders point to a deepening rift.
Complicating matters is that Mr. Biden is facing increased pressure from his base and Democratic lawmakers to take a tougher stance toward Netanyahu. On Tuesday, the president was heckled during his speech in North Carolina by pro-Palestinian demonstrators demanding he call for an immediate cease-fire.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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