SEATTLE — President Joe Biden will face a Primary protest vote in Washington. Uncommitted Delegates Washington is leading the push.
"I want to leverage my precious right to vote to hold our president and Democratic Party accountable,” Rami Al-Kabra, who helps lead Uncommitted Delegates Washington, said.
He and others believe Biden could have stopped Israel from its all-out attack on Gaza months ago. Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel triggered this current war.
According to Israel officials, around 1,200 Israelis and foreigners were killed in that attack by thousands of Hamas-led gunmen. In turn, the IDF has killed at least 30,000 Palestinians according to the Gaza Health Ministry which is under Hamas Authority. The 30,000 number is believed to be an undercount because of all those still missing.
“Many of us Palestinians have numerous friends and family who've been killed by the bombs funded by President Biden, his administration,” Al-Kabra said.
Since the beginning of the war, the United States has sent military resources to Israel and Congress approved $14 billion in additional military aid. That’s on top of the more than $3 billion the US sends to Israel each year.
Patrick Schoettmer, PhD, a SeattleU Political Science Associate Teaching Professor, understands why people are refusing to support President Biden.
“For the Primary Election, the actual impact will be negligible at best,” Schoettmer said. “By taking a strong position in the primary, they can try to force the Biden Administration to move foreign policy to a place that could make them more comfortable supporting him in November."
Schoettmer said Biden will have to address his Administration's response to the Israel-Hamas War. According to Schoettmer, the future of Biden’s party depends on it.
"If Biden isn't able to build up and connect with younger voters now, that could hurt Democrats in 2028, 2032, and further on down the road,” he said.
Al-Kabra knows people are criticizing the push for Democrats to vote uncommitted in the Primary Elections. That criticism centers around the fear it could make Biden vulnerable in the General Election. Al-Kabra said Biden could win back his support and that of others if he did what they’ve been asking him to do for months.
"A permanent ceasefire. Release of all hostages, both Israelis in Gaza and Palestinians in Israel,” Al-Kabra said.