Biden Faces Pressure from Sanders, Progressives over Gaza Crisis as Campus Protests Erupt

In an unusual private meeting with President Joe Biden during his visit to Virginia on Earth Day, Senator Bernie Sanders raised concerns about the administration’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and urged Biden to use newly authorized funding as leverage over Israel. The demands from progressives within the Democratic party come amid growing protests over the situation in Gaza, with some protesters decrying what they call “Genocide Joe”. While Biden has remained unbowed on this issue, advisers acknowledge that explicit threats against Jewish students have been alarming and not tolerated. As campus encampments continue to protest Israel’s actions across college campuses in the US, Republican speaker Mike Johnson called for action from the administration regarding antisemitic comments made by some protesters. The White House intends to meet a May 8 deadline on certifying whether Israel is complying with humanitarian law. Sanders requested assurance over how Biden planned to tackle the situation in Gaza, but Biden remained diplomatic about his approach. Some senior advisors argue that protesting students represent only a small percentage of campus populations and do not reflect majority views; recent polls show young voters are equally sympathetic towards Israeli and Palestinian people on this issue.