Problems for Biden: Palestine Protests Shut Down Bridges
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Key Takeaways
- Recent pro-Palestine protests shut down the Golden Gate Bridge, blocked travelers from various airports, and caused chaos in NYC, angering many Americans.
- Escalating protests condemning America and Israel are causing dissatisfaction across the political spectrum, posing a problem for Joe Biden’s reelection bid.
- Conservatives and right leaning voters are unhappy with the administration’s failure to uphold the rule of law while leftists and progressives are unhappy with Biden’s Israel support.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
78,000
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.
Increasingly disruptive pro-Palestine protests are causing anger and frustration for most Americans. In San Francisco, anti-Israel protestors blocked the Golden Gate Bridge, causing an hours-long traffic disruption. At the same time, similar protests at the Seattle and Chicago airports severely inconvenienced travelers, preventing them from reaching departure terminals.
The protests have been met with severe negative reactions from many criticizing the danger and disruptions to uninvolved civilians and commerce. Online discussions revealed frustration and outrage from those who said protesters were potentially endangering children, emergency responders, or others urgently traveling.
- Following Iran’s attack on Israel, support has dropped across the board for countries involved.
- Palestine sentiment fell to a low of 37% in the last week, generating negativity with the protests.
- Fewer people have been talking about Iran, but a spike in discussion coincided with a sentiment drop to 42%.
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Pro-Palestine Messaging
Many of the protesters' messages were directed towards President Biden and other political leaders who show support for Israel. Protesters accuse American politicians of being too easily swayed by overseas interests – succumbing to Israel’s plight. Anti-Israel protesters accuse politicians of being puppets for a foreign power, while others expressed frustration at what they saw as a lack of independent thinking.
There have also been widespread protests involving burning American flags and chanting, “Death to America.” These protesters tend to be pro-Palestine activists of Middle Eastern descent, progressive Americans, and young people.
This group vehemently criticizes the Biden administration and Israel. They represent an increasingly divergent wing of the Democratic Party which is opposing historical Democrat support for Israel.
Disapproval Across the Board
Disapproval over the Biden administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict seems rampant on both sides of the political aisle.
Many American voters are concerned about the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and other global powers. There are fears about the potential for a direct military confrontation between these nations, which could lead to a large-scale conflict or even World War III.
As mentioned, far left activists and progressives who support Palestine are intensely critical of Joe Biden for supporting Israel. More conservative voters and some moderate Democrats are unhappy with increasingly dangerous and incendiary pro-Palestine protests that threaten the rule of law.
Many everyday voters are reacting with hostility towards pro-Palestine protesters, particularly those chanting "Death to America." There are calls for these protesters to be deported, and they are seen as un-American.
Some also argue protestors who disrupt traffic or other public services should face criminal charges. They highlight the differences between law enforcement responses in places like New York and California, compared to Florida.
Right leaning voters frequently call recent protests acts of domestic terrorism, expressing a desire for anti-American demonstrators to leave the country.
Potential Consequences for Joe Biden
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The Biden administration's response to these protests and the overarching conflict will likely influence voter perceptions in the 2024 presidential election. Many progressive Democrats are unhappy with Biden and have voted “Uncommitted” in Democratic primary races. Moderates and Independents may also feel uninspired to vote for Biden if protests continue to inconvenience travel or threaten public safety.
Progressive and leftist voters may also object to voting for Biden due to his perceived failure to protect human rights. This group argues America's continued support for Israel, despite alleged human rights violations, contradicts the administration's stated commitment to human rights.
The protests themselves may influence public opinion on the broader issue of civil liberties and the right to protest. Many voters have not forgotten the violence and vandalism of 2016 and 2020 protests, seeking to prevent similar situations.
Law enforcement responses may also influence voters who value the rule of law. If people perceive the Biden administration as failing to enforce the law or protect public safety, it could have severe negative consequences for his reelection.
Finally, the protests could also impact Biden's relations with key international partners, including Israel and Arab countries. His administration's response to these protests and the broader Israel-Palestine conflict could influence these relationships, potentially affecting his foreign policy credentials and public perception.
Overall, pro-Palestine protests likely present a significant challenge for Biden, with potential implications for his 2024 Presidential campaign. How he navigates this issue could impact his public image, his standing within the Democratic Party, his appeal to certain voter demographics, and his foreign policy credentials.
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