Divisions in Democratic National Committee over war on Gaza: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
4 Nov 2023 20:52
1 Shares

Divisions within the DNC mainly revolve around differences between older pro-"Israel" Democrats and younger progressives who are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

President Joe Biden listens as he meets with Chile's President Gabriel Boric in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

In an Axios report on Saturday, Democratic National Committee (DNC) officials told the news website that rife divisions were beginning to surface within the party over the war on Gaza.

Some DNC members and staffers expressed concerns about the scale and death toll from the Israeli aggression inflicted on Gaza and its people, while others believe that President Biden is showing "moral clarity" in supporting "Israel's" purported defense against the Islamic resistance.

According to the Axios report, this internal conflict within the DNC reflects broader generational and political divisions among Democrats.

It mainly revolves around differences between older pro-"Israel" Democrats and younger progressives who are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause.

The war on Gaza which began after Hamas launched its resistance operation has highlighted these divisions, with some DNC staffers considering resignation due to concerns about the situation. Some DNC donors have also expressed their discontent with the administration's policy.

A group of DNC staffers recently signed a letter urging President Biden to publicly call for a ceasefire in the genocide. The conflict within the DNC mirrors similar divisions among Democrats in Congress and their staff.

On Friday, 51 DNC staffers — about 17% of the DNC's roughly 300 employees — signed a letter to DNC leaders saying that "we feel it is the DNC's moral obligation to urge President Biden to publicly call for a ceasefire”@HuffPost had it firsthttps://t.co/J0zKWnVhQl pic.twitter.com/3YPrWHPF4g
— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) November 4, 2023

Some lawmakers and former presidential campaign staffers are also urging for a ceasefire and expressing concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In addition to the DNC, these divisions have reached the administration, with a prominent State Department official resigning, and national security officials conducting listening sessions for staffers.

A high-ranking DNC official who requested anonymity told Axios: "The president centered his 2020 campaign on a 'Battle for the Soul of the Nation,' but it seems as though the administration is currently in a battle for its own soul."

"I don't know how you can see supporting the large-scale killing of Palestinian civilians as anything but immoral," the official added.

Another lawmaker said: "It's going to be very, very hard for Democrats, given what we are seeing on cable news ... about what's happening in Gaza to just turn a blind eye."