Democrats fear that Biden's handling of Israel-Hamas war could cost him reelection in Michigan

Some Democrats in Michigan have have express worry that President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war could cost him re-election in Michigan, a state that he almost certainly can't afford to lose in 2024.

The president has reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas, which the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization. However, he faces pressure from the state’s prominent Democrats and others to alleviate tensions as they claim he is losing support within the Arab American community.

“The message has been relayed. We’ve had calls with the White House. We’ve had calls with DNC officials,” said Abraham Aiyash, the third-ranking Democrat in the state House of Representatives, referring to the Democratic National Committee.

Aiyash added: “We’ve been clear in saying the humanity should matter, but if that is not a calculation that you’re going to make in this moment, recognize that there will be electoral reverberations to this.”

"People are openly saying that the Biden administration and Democrats who agree with his position on the war do not deserve our votes next year in the election. That’s come across very clear from community activists and people who are on the ground,” said Dawud Walid, the executive director of Michigan’s Council on American-Islamic Relations.

A senior Michigan Democratic Party official who spoke with the Associated Press said Biden’s handling of the war has emerged in the state as a “huge” problem. It could become more vexing if the war stretches on, closer into the 2024 election, the official added.