President Joe Biden is seeing a decline in support from Jewish voters, a demographic historically loyal to Democratic candidates.
Concerns about Biden’s age and leadership capabilities are contributing factors, but recent events have intensified the shift.
A Siena College poll in February showed former President Donald Trump leading Biden among New York’s Jewish voters, 53% to 44%.
Though a subsequent poll in June showed Biden ahead at 52% to 46%, this marks a significant decrease from past Democratic support.
Historically, Jewish voters have strongly favoured Democratic presidential candidates, often giving 70% or more of their votes. For example, Lyndon Johnson and Franklin Roosevelt received 90% of Jewish votes.
The shift in sentiment among Jewish voters is partly attributed to events following October 7, seen as the darkest day for Jews since the Holocaust. The aftermath revealed rising concerns about antisemitism and hostility towards Israel within Democratic circles.
Incidents such as the 2012 Democratic convention, where delegates booed the inclusion of language recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, have fueled these concerns. Increasingly, left-leaning ideologies have portrayed Jews as oppressors, further alienating them.
A Gallup poll in March highlighted this divide, showing only 35% of Democrats sympathize more with Israelis compared to 80% of Republicans.
Recent findings by the New York Solidarity Network reveal that 40% of Jews in New York no longer view the United States as a haven, alarmed by rising anti-Israel protests and perceived inaction by Democratic leaders.
President Biden’s response to these concerns has been mixed. While he initially pledged strong support for Israel, he later criticized its military actions in Gaza and called for a ceasefire.
These developments, coupled with fears about Biden’s stance towards Israel and perceived leniency towards antisemitic incidents, could significantly impact Jewish voter turnout in key swing states like Pennsylvania.
The situation poses a critical challenge for Biden as he seeks to regain the trust of Jewish voters and secure their support in the upcoming election.
