With the continuation of the Israeli war on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Gazans, this war has cast a shadow over internal politics in the US and Britain. The controversy in the West, the UK in particular, involves a deepening political division over Palestine and accusations of anti-Semitism alongside some people supporting Islamic extremists.
The US perspective
Americans have become more divided over the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians than they were in previous decades, according to a new poll in The Washington Post. Since the Al-Aqsa flood on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, support for both Palestinians and Israelis has increased at the expense of those who support neither side. The divide among Democrats has become more pronounced.
The findings, published by the Chicago World Affairs Council, show how once non partisan views have become more divided along partisan lines. While Democrats made a slight shift in favour of the Palestinians, a growing majority of Republicans continued to support Israel. Growing divisions also prevailed among independent voters, whom political parties aspire to getting in election years.
The poll data showed a noticeable shift in trends, when the poll was conducted in September 2023 and between February 16 and 18, 2024.
The Chicago World Affairs Council has also been asking questions in opinion polls for more than two decades, and it is possible that there will be a more gradual change in American views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In 2002, about three-quarters of Americans, or about 71 per cent, said that the US should not support one side over another. This number fell to 56 per cent last January, according to new data.
The Biden administration feels this divide strongly, especially in Michigan where the US President faced a strong reaction during the Democratic primary race. This state has a large number of Arab-Americans and in that state, there has been a campaign calling on voters to vote “uncommitted” in protest at Biden’s support for Israel and his refusal to calla ceasefire.
Although Biden won the primary race in Michigan for the Democrats by a large margin, 13.2 per cent of voters voted “uncommitted,” a number exceeding 100,000 in total, which is higher than in previous primary races and even higher than the campaign’s stated goal of garnering 10,000 votes. Michigan is considered a swing state and is likely to be a battleground for Biden's presidential campaign against former President Trump in November.
The impact on US politics
In Britain, the Gaza war has also cast a shadow over domestic politics. There was anger in the House of Commons protesting at the way the Speaker of the House handled a vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, according to the media. Outside Parliament, supporters of Palestine chanted the slogan "From the river to the sea," sparking criticism from Israel's supporters.
The chaotic scenes in London highlighted how Israel's war in Gaza has reverberated beyond the Middle East, the New York Times reported. From the US to Europe, the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and the subsequent Israeli war on Gaza has ignited sympathy for both sides, upended politics, and increased tensions between Muslims and Jews in the West.
However, battles are not just about war, but also about peace and moral justice. In Britain, most people support a ceasefire in the region, hence there is no real division between political parties and public opinion on how to respond to the Gaza war. However, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become a stick that opponents’ wave against each other.
The ruling Conservative Party has taken advantage of anti-Israel statements made by a parliamentary candidate for the Labour Party, accusing the opposition party of failing to eliminate the legacy of anti-Semitism in its ranks. In contrast,the Labour Party has pointed to insulting comments made by the former Conservative deputy leader about the Muslim Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, as evidence of growing Islamophobia among Conservatives.
Photo: The war between Israel and Gaza is dividing voters in the US. (by Adobe)