President Joe Biden is reportedly facing backlash from some prominent supporters over his decision to withhold aid to Israel if they move forward with an invasion of Rafah, where about one million civilians have sought refuge.
The president drew his red line on the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday during an interview with CNN, saying that he would restrict aid to Rafah if the country decides to invade. Democratic donor and Israeli American Haim Saban sent an email to White House officials following the comments asking the staff to let the president know his opposition to his remarks, according to an email obtained by Axios.
“Bad, Bad, Bad, decision, on all levels, Pls reconsider,” Saban wrote in the email, according to Axios.
“Let’s not forget that there are more Jewish voters, who care about Israel, than Muslim voters that care about Hamas,” he added.
U.S. President Joe Biden, flanked by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaks about the conflict in Israel, after Hamas launched its biggest attack in decades, while making a statement about the crisis, at the White House in Washington, U.S. October 7, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
Saban previously hosted a fundraiser for the president in February at his own home, Axios reported. Following the event, Saban said he had a private conversation with the president over his support for Israel in their ongoing war.
“Biden cares deeply about Israel, it’s in his kishkes,” Saban said, according to Axios.
The president, who immediately moved to back Israel following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on the country, has faced significant backlash over his handling of the war. Within his administration and campaign, staffers have criticized the president for his pro-Israel stance. In events and speeches across the country, Biden has often been met with pro-Palestinian protestors. Across college campuses, anti-Israel protesters have set up encampments and have replaced the American flag with Palestinian flags. (RELATED: More Protest Votes Take Bite Out Of Biden’s Primary Victories)
But now, the president is facing backlash for not supporting Israel enough as he threatens to restrict aid to the country. Before the president’s comments, the Biden administration had reportedly been delaying military equipment to Israel in an attempt to send a political message to the country’s leadership, according to Politico.
“There has never been a president more pro-Israel than Joe Biden but at the same time we are very concerned about what appears to be a significant shift in US policy,” Mark Mellman, the president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, told Axios.
“There are a lot of people in the pro-Israel community who are very worried, very upset and very angry,” Mellman added. “We don’t know what the consequences are going to be politically.”