Joe Biden Faces a Youth Revolt

Multiple youth voter groups have sent a letter to President Joe Biden, warning that his administration's continued approach to the war in the Middle East could doom his reelection bid.

The United States has long been a staunch ally of Israel, which was subject to the deadliest-ever attack on its soil on October 7 at the hands of Hamas militants. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed war against the group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.

As of Tuesday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza reported that the Palestinian death toll in the ongoing conflict had exceeded 10,300, including more than 4,200 children, according to the Associated Press. Most of the 1,400 deaths in Israel occurred on October 7, in addition to 242 hostages—some of whom are Americans—being taken from Israel into Gaza by Hamas, the AP said.

The letter warns that the Biden administration's stance on Gaza, including not forcefully advocating for an immediate ceasefire that few members of Congress have supported, may alienate key voter demographic groups in 2024—diverse groups that helped Biden get elected in the first place.

Voter group leaders also warn that violence abroad could have serious political implications domestically, not only in the presidential race but for down-ballot Democrats across the country.

"We came of age during two decades of endless war that cost thousands of American lives and millions of lives around the world," the letter states. "We know that the longer you allow the siege of Gaza to continue, the greater the risk of this spiraling into a broader regional conflict, potentially pulling U.S. troops into combat or occupation. This would be both a moral and political disaster.

"There is no way for a Democratic presidential nominee to win without significant youth voter enthusiasm and mobilization. Young people are a cornerstone of a winning Democratic coalition, and the vast majority of young people in this country are rightfully horrified by the atrocities committed with our tax dollars, with your support, and our nation's military backing."

Letter signers were from groups including the gun violence prevention group March for Our Lives; United We Dream, self-described as the largest immigrant youth-led network in the U.S.; Gen Z for Change, which initially was founded in 2020 as TikTok for Biden; and the climate change-based Sunrise Movement.

Michele Weindling, political director of Sunrise Movement, told Newsweek via phone that Biden not calling for a ceasefire "is a very risky choice" and could impact him politically the longer he refrains.

Weindling, who is Jewish, said the letter expresses the sentiments of an anti-war generation.

"It's very clear from our [voter] bases that they feel completely heartbroken from the genocide in Gaza and our tax dollars are paying for weapons of destruction for the Israeli military," she said.

The letter adds that myriad hours of door knocking and phone calls on Biden's behalf during the last election cycle was not conducted in vain so that he, as president, "could support indiscriminate slaughter of civilians and violations of international law."

It is "absolutely horrific" to see innocent people of any background murdered, Weindling added, saying that Hamas doesn't represent all Palestinians and that the far-right government in Israel doesn't represent all Jews.

"The purpose of the letter is a heed of warning to say, look, this is incredibly polarizing to our generation," said Weindling, who represents thousands of national Sunrise members.

Newsweek reached out to the White House and all the youth voter groups via email for comment.

Eight of 10 Americans fear direct Middle East involvement

Americans remain split on Israel's response and the prospects of a long, drawn-out war based on age and political affiliations, according to a poll released November 2 by Quinnipiac University.

About 50 percent of that poll's respondents said Israel is right to respond in kind, while 35 percent disapprove of their retaliation. Approximately 75 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of independents approve, while about 49 percent of Democrats disapprove.

Voters 65 years and older approve by a 59-27 percent margin, followed closely by voters between 50 and 64 years of age. Voters between the ages of 35 and 49 approve, though voters between 18-34 years disapprove by a 52-32 percent margin.

About 51 percent of respondents said they approve of the U.S. sending military aid to Israel, with Republicans being more in favor than Democrats by a 16-point margin.

Overall, 84 percent of people surveyed said they are either very concerned (43 percent) or somewhat concerned (41 percent) that the U.S. will be drawn into a military conflict.

The ongoing war has also escalated antisemitism in the U.S., with Quinnipiac noting that about three of every four respondents said that prejudice against Jewish people in the U.S. today is a problem—the highest percentage since the question was first asked in 2017.

There have been numerous instances of clashes between Israeli and Palestinian supporters and groups, in addition to letters and other materials penned by college students that seemingly ignored Hamas' violence. Such correspondence has led to some individuals losing job offers and being rebuked on their own campuses.

Yaseen Shaikh, president of Students for Justice in Palestine at Kent State University, told Newsweek that the group is not upset at Biden for referring to himself as a Zionist. However, it does disagree with the hundreds of billions of dollars the U.S. has provided Israel over the years, much of which he said "has been funneled into military use" and has aided the nation's weapons development industry.

"We wholeheartedly condemn the United States' nigh unconditional support, both verbally, politically and financially, of Israel's actions in Palestine and upon the Palestinian people," Shaikh said. "The carpet-bombing of Gaza is intended to hit civilians, make no mistake."

The condemnation not only advocates for a stoppage in providing aid to Israel but also warns of a global reckoning.

"Morality is no longer a consideration for the United States, considering the fact that the U.S vetoed an international resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire to deliver lifesaving and necessary aid to Gaza," he added.

"What 'American values' can be cited when supporting an oppressor against the oppressed? Is it our rich history of colonialism, imperialism and meddling in other regions, especially the Middle East?"

Large Arab, Muslim populations in key states

The youth voter groups also touched on the pivotal handful of swing states that will likely decide next year's presidential election, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

States like Michigan, which swung for Biden by about 150,000 votes and is home to large numbers of Muslims and Arabs, are showing early signs of disenchantment toward the incumbent president.

One recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners found that since October 7, just 61 percent of Michigan Democrats under 30 years of age support Biden in 2024—including 21 percent who are considering voting for a third-party candidate.

Some younger voters have expressed appreciation for the Biden administration's response and handling of the situation in the Middle East.

Three young Democrats running for Congress—Joe Vogel, Isaiah Martin and Zak Malamed—sent the president a letter on October 31, thanking him for "unequivocally supporting Israel's right to exist." The letter was posted on X, formerly Twitter, by Democratic Representative Ritchie Torres—who himself has been outspoken against extremism in his own party and on that of Republicans.

Newsweek reached out to Torres via email for comment.

Update 11/7/23, 12:38 p.m. ET: This story was updated with comment from Michele Weindling.