President Biden is facing severe backlash from Muslim voters and organizations after the House passed $26 billion in funding for Israel with his approval. The bill also includes funding for Ukraine and Taiwan, which Biden has stated he will sign as soon as it reaches his desk. U.S. Islamic organizers have been criticizing Biden’s administration for its continued support for Israel, with some indicating that signing this latest legislation could be the breaking point in their relationship with the White House. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) government affairs director Robert McCaw stated that this decision could mark the point of no return for the White House’s relationship with the American Muslim community and those opposed to the genocide in Gaza.
CAIR National described the aid as a “blank check,” allowing the Israeli government to purchase offensive weapons used to harm Palestinians. The organization expressed concern that giving Prime Minister Netanyahu this blank check would make the U.S. complicit in the Gaza genocide, potentially severing Biden’s relationship with not only American Muslims but also Americans of all backgrounds who oppose the genocide. Rep. Pramila Jayapal also criticized the bill, comparing continued support for Israel to the Iraq war and highlighting the lack of distinction between funding for defensive and offensive weapons in the bill.
The anger from Muslim voters and organizations comes as voters in key swing states like Michigan were already threatening to abandon Biden’s re-election effort. Muslim and Arab American community leaders refused to meet with Biden’s campaign director in late January, signaling their dissatisfaction with the administration’s policies. Arab Americans in Michigan have historically been dependable Democratic voters, with Biden winning over 75% of the vote in Arab-majority city of Dearborn in 2020. Michigan is considered a must-win state for Biden in the upcoming election, as he only narrowly carried it against former President Trump in 2020.
The Muslim and Arab communities in Michigan number around 300,000, suggesting that a significant drop in support for Biden could lead to a swing towards Republicans. Biden’s failure to address concerns surrounding Israel and its actions in Gaza has further fueled discontent among these communities. The criticism from Muslim voters and organizations adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political climate ahead of the next election, with Biden facing challenges in maintaining support from key demographics. The administration’s actions regarding Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza have the potential to have lasting repercussions for Biden’s relationship with Muslim Americans and other groups opposed to the violence in the region.
