Dem Civil War? Party Splits Over Israel Crisis

November 07, 2023 Dem Civil War? Party Splits Over Israel Crisis image

Key Takeaways

  • There's a growing divide among Democrats on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with overall online sentiment split at 38% for Israel and 36% for Hamas.
  • Younger Democrats tend to be more critical of Israel, while older members emphasize Israel's security needs.
  • Divisions have led to a crack in the normally unified Democratic front, with varying opinions on Israel's military actions, the allocation of aid, and differing views on antisemitism within the party.

Our Methodology

Demographics

Democrats

Sample Size

15,000

Geographical Breakdown

National

Time Period

7 Days

MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
 

A growing rift has emerged among Democrats over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, according to a new Media Intelligence Report.

  • Overall online sentiment toward Israel and Hamas has been split over the past week at 38% and 36% respectively.
  • However, among Democrats, sentiment has been more evenly divided between Israel and Hamas
  • at 45% each.
  • These sentiment indicators highlight growing ideological differences between factions in the Democrat party.

The Dividing Line for Dems

  • The MIG report identified a generational divide, with younger Democrats generally more critical of Israel than older members who emphasize Israel's security needs.
  • Moderate Democrats urged a balanced approach, condemning Hamas while addressing Gaza's humanitarian plight.
  • Some old-school Democrats decry what they see as a shocking increase in antisemitism among college students and far-left Democrats.
  • These divisions are causing a rare crack in the normally unified Democrat front.

What Democrats Are Saying

Historically, Democrats tend to move in lockstep, coalescing around a common principle or ideology that drives progressive policy. That is not the case when it comes to Israel.

Support for Israel Among Democrats

  • Some Democrats defend Israel's military actions as necessary self-defense against Hamas. They argue that Israel is responding to aggression and criticize Hamas for using civilians as human shields.
  • Among these Democrats, there is support for Biden’s $14.5 billion in military aid for Israel, without humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
  • Many view Hamas’ actions on October 7 as a “vile atrocity” that requires immediate response.
  • Overall, many older and more moderate Democrats seem to be inclined to support Israel compared to younger, extremely progressive Democrats.
  • Many in the Jewish community argue that pro-Palestine protestors misunderstand the threat from Hamas and overly simplify the complex history.

Pro-Palestine Democrats

  • In contrast, many younger Democrats accuse Israel of war crimes and "genocide" in Gaza. The far left celebrated the terror attack, refused to condemn it, or suggested Israel bears responsibility.
  • They call for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and an immediate ceasefire.
  • Recent pro-Palestine protests in Washington DC, suggest a growing sentiment in support of Palestine.
  • These individuals argue that Palestinians are being disproportionately targeted and suffer more casualties compared to Israeli civilians.
  • Protestors demand the Biden administration take a firmer pro-Palestine stance.
  • Some demand steps be taken to hold Israeli leadership accountable for alleged atrocities. Many protesters also express support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

Other Takeaways

  • Overall, there seems to be a division over what constitutes antisemitism. Some say criticism of Israel equates antisemitism.
  • Others argue that animosity towards Israel is growing, worsening antisemitism.
  • Meanwhile, others argue criticism is not inherently antisemitic.
  • In sum, the discourse reveals deep divisions not only between different political and ideological groups, but also within them.

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