In a dramatic turn of events, President Joe Biden's support among Arab Americans has plummeted as criticism mounts over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict. A recent poll conducted by the Arab American Institute reveals a significant decline in Biden's favorability among the community, with support dropping from 59% in 2020 to a mere 17% currently.

The poll, conducted by Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, showed an alarming shift in sentiment among Arab Americans. The ongoing monthlong bombardment of Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 10,000 Palestinians, including 4,000 children, has been a central point of contention. Demonstrators at the largest rally in U.S. history for Palestinian rights in Washington D.C. on Saturday chanted slogans like "No ceasefire, no votes" and "In November, we remember," highlighting their disappointment with Biden's refusal to support a ceasefire while continuing to supply arms to Israel.

Speaking at the rally, Nihad Awad, head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), emphasized the importance of a ceasefire, warning that the community's support would be withheld in key swing states like Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio if action was not taken urgently.

According to Zogby, the drop in support among Arab Americans has been unprecedented in the 27 years of polling conducted by the Arab American Institute. The disappointment stems not only from Biden's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict but also from a broader sense of dissatisfaction with his overall foreign policy approach. Many Arab Americans voted for Biden hoping for a focus on domestic issues, but instead feel let down by what they perceive as a lack of control over his presidency and a deviation from his promised agenda of peace and tranquility after four years of Trump.

The poll also revealed that the majority of Arab Americans, regardless of religion, age, gender, or immigration status, expressed frustration and deep disappointment with Biden's performance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. The findings indicate a need for a significant course correction if the president hopes to win back the support of this critical constituency.

Zogby stresses that, to regain the Arab American vote, Biden must take substantive action to address the crisis in Gaza and demonstrate a genuine commitment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Merely relying on the notion that Arab Americans will not vote for Donald Trump again is viewed as dismissive and insufficient. The Arab American community expects the president to earn their support, and without meaningful change, they may opt to stay home or explore alternative candidates.

The declining support for Biden is not limited to the Arab American community alone but is also evident among young people, progressive Jews, Black, Latino, and Asian voters. The Israel-Gaza conflict has become a symbol of dissatisfaction with the administration's overall approach to various issues. Zogby emphasizes the urgent need for the White House to address this growing disillusionment and not dismiss it as isolated or inconsequential.

In a separate segment, Zogby also expressed confusion and disappointment with Senator Bernie Sanders' stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Sanders, who faced criticism for refusing to call for a full ceasefire, argued that it is difficult to have a ceasefire with an organization like Hamas. Zogby argues that the same thinking should apply to the Netanyahu government, which has also engaged in aggressive actions. He believes that the United States, as a responsible and impartial party, should take a strong stance against the violence and exert pressure on both sides for a true and lasting ceasefire.

As international protests in support of Palestinians gain momentum, the Biden administration is faced with an increasingly skeptical global audience. The conflict has stirred global public opinion, particularly in the Global South, where support for the United States' policies and Israel remains minimal. The failure to address the concerns and expectations of the international community may have long-lasting implications for U.S. foreign policy.

The Biden administration must chart a new course, one that acknowledges the realities of the ongoing occupation and the urgent need for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The current trajectory not only undermines Arab American support but also risks further alienating key constituencies and eroding the credibility of the United States on the global stage.