The Israel-Palestine conflict remains a divisive issue globally, polarizing international narratives. States align themselves with either Israel or Palestine guided by national interests and bilateral relationships.
Notably, American public opinion, particularly among younger generations, academics, and social activists, has undergone significant transformation. This shift stems from multifaceted factors deeply embedded in socio-political dynamics and evolving moral perspectives.
The Intersection of U.S. Social Justice Movements and Palestinian Advocacy
The USA has been a hub for various social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter (BLM), The Poor People’s Campaign, and The Civil Rights Movement. These movements have significantly bolstered the influence of human rights and social welfare activists within the United States.
Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, Ifnotnow, and the U.S. Campaign for Palestine are increasingly vocal in advocating for Palestinian rights, challenging U.S. support for Israel. Concurrently, Jewish organizations such as Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) and T’ruah have expanded their advocacy to include Palestinian rights, transcending religious and ethnic divisions. This shift challenges the prevailing narratives that U.S. and Israeli policies exclusively benefit all Jews.
The Impact of Social Media on Global Awareness
In the era of information dissemination, regulating information flow has become unfeasible. Uncensored media platforms, notably social media, offer real-time updates on global events. Platforms like TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) Facebook, and Instagram have been useful means to amplify the voices of Palestinian right activists like Motaz Aziza, Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqa, reaching a global audience. These activists have raised awareness by highlighting the Palestinian suffering under Israeli atrocities.
Through powerful videos and posts, they have provided a raw and unfiltered access to the daily lives and struggles of people of Gaza. Graphic images and videos from Gaza are widely shared, often bypassing traditional mainstream media, which can serve specific political agendas or state interests.
Mainstream news outlets have faced criticism for perceived pro-Israeli bias. Earlier this year, CNN faced internal criticism for its reporting, with staff accusing the network of biased coverage that amplifies Israeli perspectives and “often using passive language to absolve the [Israel Defense Forces] of responsibility, and playing down Palestinian deaths and Israeli attacks.”
This practice is evident across major news outlets. For example, the BBC initially reported the death of a man with Down’s Syndrome, attacked by IDF dogs, under the headline “The Lonely Death of Gaza Man with Down’s Syndrome,” but revised it after backlash to include more details. Similarly, The Atlantic faced significant criticism for an article suggesting it might be possible to kill children legally in Gaza, reflecting broader issues of dehumanizing Palestinian suffering.
U.S. Support for Israel despite Human Rights Violations
The Israel-Palestine conflict, once perceived primarily through religious and geopolitical lenses, has now been reframed as a humanitarian crisis, highlighting grave human rights violations. Israeli military actions have been accused of war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians, genocide, forced evacuations, torture, sexual violence, and destruction of cultural heritage. Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented these allegations. In the International Court of Justice, Israel has been charged with genocide, and the International Criminal Court is pursuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders for war crimes. Despite international criticism, the U.S. continues to support Israel, which has led to accusations of complicity in the alleged war crimes.
The U.S. continues to empower Israel further by providing heavy foreign and military aid packages and unconditional support on diplomatic forums, which highlights America’s double standards, prompting advocacy and human rights groups to urge the government for policy changes and to condition U.S. aid to Israel on compliance with the Leahy Law, international law, and human rights standards.
Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, but the movement shows no signs of slowing. Resentment among youth has intensified, particularly following a violent police crackdown on protests like the one at Yale University in April 2024, where students demanded the removal of Lockheed Martin from the college’s investments, citing its role in fueling the Gaza Strip’s genocide. This protest has ignited a domino effect, spreading to top-tier colleges across the U.S., including Columbia University, Brown University, the University of Texas, and Arizona State University.
Rise of Traditionalist Views and Discontent with Foreign Policy
One key factor in understanding this situation is the rise of traditionalists in America over the past few decades. Traditionalism in International Relations emphasizes the importance of historical context and established norms in analyzing international politics. Prominent figures such as Noam Chomsky, Rashid Khalidi, and Ilan Pappé, who are influenced by this approach, challenge the notion that all Jews unconditionally support Israel.
Both Pappé, an Israeli Jew, and Chomsky, from a Jewish family, have actively advocated for Palestinian rights, underscoring humanitarian principles over ethnonational interests. Their work highlights that supporting Palestine is not inherently anti-Jewish but rather a commitment to justice and human rights. These scholars, who have considerable influence and popularity in the U.S., inspire youth and reshape societal views by providing a historical and humanitarian perspective on the Palestinian cause.
A notable shift in U.S. politics is underway as figures like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib challenge the Democratic Party’s pro-Israel stance while remaining within the party to advocate for change. Their actions, including legislation to block a $735 million arms sale to Israel in 2021 and pushing for aid reductions in 2024, reflect a broader shift influenced by younger generations, who increasingly support Palestine.
Americans are increasingly frustrated with the costs of the U.S. foreign policy, which they believe burdens taxpayers. The war on terror in Afghanistan alone cost $2.313 trillion, and current support for Israel and Ukraine is also economically taxing. With inflation, public anger is rising. Given this, the U.S. may struggle to maintain its full backing of Israel. The recent clash between Israel and Hezbollah has led the U.S. to advise Israel against escalation to avoid further domestic backlash. An escalation could damage the Democrat’s election prospects, already strained by criticism over Biden’s handling of the Middle East and the $12.5 billion aid to Israel.
In the current U.S. political climate, parallels to the Vietnam War era are emerging, as discontent over prolonged conflicts is growing. Politicians are increasingly criticized for their support of Israel, with extended military commitments straining the U.S. economy and exacerbating public frustration. Issues such as crackdowns on protests and restrictions on free speech are further fueling dissatisfaction. As the 2024 elections approach, politicians must address these concerns to maintain electoral viability. President Biden, facing criticism for his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict and internal party divisions, must navigate these challenges carefully. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s actions and the Democratic Party’s internal disagreements could significantly impact the upcoming elections.
**The opinions in this article are the author’s own and may not represent the views of The Diplomatic Insight. The organization does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content.
