Most Americans have shifted their focus away from the presidential primaries, as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured enough delegates for the Democratic and Republican nominations. However, the recent primary in Wisconsin may hold an important message for Biden, particularly regarding the concerns of the Muslim American community about the situation in Gaza. Biden faced pushback over plans to attend a Ramadan iftar dinner at the White House, leading to a meeting with Muslim community leaders instead. Meanwhile, Trump is holding general election rallies focusing on immigration and crime.
While the primaries technically continue into June, some progressive voters are using the process to send a message to Biden regarding his support for Israel amid the crisis in Gaza. In Wisconsin, some voters are opting for an “uninstructed delegation” instead of supporting Biden or Trump, giving delegates the power to choose whichever candidate they want. This serves as a signal to the national parties and candidates that these voters are unhappy with the current situation. Heading into the contests, Biden has a significant delegate lead over the “uncommitted” and other candidates, while Trump leads among Republicans.
Progressive and pro-Palestinian groups are actively encouraging voters in Wisconsin to choose the “uninstructed delegation,” similar to a campaign in Michigan that saw a significant number of votes for the “uncommitted” option. Wisconsin is a battleground state that has played a decisive role in recent elections, with tight margins determining the outcome. The presence of spoiler candidates, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in independent roles could impact the election results, as seen in previous instances where third-party candidates affected the outcome.
Wisconsin and other states like Connecticut and Rhode Island have an “uncommitted” option on the presidential primary ballot, allowing voters to express their dissatisfaction with the current candidates. The evolving stance of top Democrats like Biden on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been evident, with recent actions such as supporting a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the UN. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a new election in Israel and criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the Biden administration is also on the verge of approving a sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel.
The complexities of navigating the issue of Israel support are evident for both Biden and Trump. While Biden has shown some openness to pro-Palestinian concerns, such as acknowledging their point during a protest interruption, he is also considering a significant arms deal with Israel. Trump’s comments suggesting that Israel should “finish up” in Gaza have alarmed some right-wing journalists in Israel, indicating a nuanced approach to the issue. The frustration from the Muslim community over Biden’s plans for the iftar dinner being changed to a meeting highlights the delicate balance both candidates face in addressing these concerns.
