Nov 3, 2023 12:04 AM
Democrats fear Biden’s Israel-Hamas war stance could cost him support
https://apnews.com/article/biden-michiga...ec1b0ac743
EXCERPTS: Democrats in Michigan have warned the White House that President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict could cost him enough support within the Arab American community to sway the outcome of the 2024 election in a state he almost certainly can’t afford to lose in his bid for reelection.
The situation has prompted the White House to discuss ways to alleviate tensions with some of the state’s prominent Democrats, including several who have been vocal critics of the president about the war.
[...] Michigan was a critical component of the so-called blue wall of states that includes Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that Biden returned to the Democratic column, helping him win the White House in 2020. Since then, Democrats have felt more confident about their standing in Michigan, particularly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer notched a commanding 10-point reelection victory last year.
[...] In 2020, Muslim voters nationally supported Biden over Trump 64% to 35%, according to AP VoteCast ... Michigan holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation and over 310,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry. Many in the community are pledging to coalesce against Biden’s reelection campaign unless he calls for a ceasefire in the war.
[...] Anger over Democrats’ response to the war was on full display this past weekend in Wayne County, home to the largest bloc of Democratic votes in the state and the source of much of the pushback... (MORE - details)
Cornell cancels classes after student is charged with threatening Jewish people on campus
https://apnews.com/article/cornell-antis...b24c7ef5a3
INTRO: Cornell University has canceled classes on Friday after a student was charged with making online antisemitic threats against Jewish people on campus.
Cornell junior Patrick Dai, 21, has been charged with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications after authorities say he made threatening comments on an online Greek Life forum over the weekend. He was held without bail following his first appearance in federal court.
The statements prompted officials to send police to guard a Jewish center and kosher dining hall as unnerved students feared for their safety. Cornell Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, advised students and staff to avoid the dining hall “in an abundance of caution.”
A spokeswoman at the Ivy League school said the decision to close on Friday was made “in recognition of the extraordinary stress of the past few weeks.” Faculty and nonessential staff will also be excused from work.
There has been a swell of both antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric online amid the Israel-Hamas war... (MORE - details)
https://apnews.com/article/biden-michiga...ec1b0ac743
EXCERPTS: Democrats in Michigan have warned the White House that President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict could cost him enough support within the Arab American community to sway the outcome of the 2024 election in a state he almost certainly can’t afford to lose in his bid for reelection.
The situation has prompted the White House to discuss ways to alleviate tensions with some of the state’s prominent Democrats, including several who have been vocal critics of the president about the war.
[...] Michigan was a critical component of the so-called blue wall of states that includes Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that Biden returned to the Democratic column, helping him win the White House in 2020. Since then, Democrats have felt more confident about their standing in Michigan, particularly after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer notched a commanding 10-point reelection victory last year.
[...] In 2020, Muslim voters nationally supported Biden over Trump 64% to 35%, according to AP VoteCast ... Michigan holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation and over 310,000 residents are of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry. Many in the community are pledging to coalesce against Biden’s reelection campaign unless he calls for a ceasefire in the war.
[...] Anger over Democrats’ response to the war was on full display this past weekend in Wayne County, home to the largest bloc of Democratic votes in the state and the source of much of the pushback... (MORE - details)
Cornell cancels classes after student is charged with threatening Jewish people on campus
https://apnews.com/article/cornell-antis...b24c7ef5a3
INTRO: Cornell University has canceled classes on Friday after a student was charged with making online antisemitic threats against Jewish people on campus.
Cornell junior Patrick Dai, 21, has been charged with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications after authorities say he made threatening comments on an online Greek Life forum over the weekend. He was held without bail following his first appearance in federal court.
The statements prompted officials to send police to guard a Jewish center and kosher dining hall as unnerved students feared for their safety. Cornell Hillel, a Jewish campus organization, advised students and staff to avoid the dining hall “in an abundance of caution.”
A spokeswoman at the Ivy League school said the decision to close on Friday was made “in recognition of the extraordinary stress of the past few weeks.” Faculty and nonessential staff will also be excused from work.
There has been a swell of both antisemitic and anti-Muslim rhetoric online amid the Israel-Hamas war... (MORE - details)