For decades, American public opinion and policy on Israel has remained largely unified. However, as Israel's military actions in Gaza continue, cracks are starting to appear within the Democratic Party and the State Department regarding the US approach towards Israel. This increasing dissent suggests that some Americans within the establishment are reassessing their views and seeking to influence the trajectory of US policy.

President Joe Biden and congressional leaders have offered support for Israel's military campaign in response to the recent attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people and the kidnapping of over 200. While the Biden administration has adjusted its public messaging over time, emphasizing the need for a humanitarian pause and the importance of allowing aid to enter Gaza, they have not explicitly called for an immediate ceasefire, setting them apart from international organizations and humanitarian groups.

This divergence in approach has prompted internal dissent and activism within the Democratic Party and the State Department, with calls for urgent adjustments to US policy. Over 500 alumni of Biden's 2020 presidential campaign have come together to urge a ceasefire, including individuals from key battleground states like Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Their open letter, titled "Biden Alumni for Peace and Justice," emphasizes the need for a ceasefire, a hostage exchange, de-escalation, and concrete steps to address the underlying issues of occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing that contribute to the violence.

The letter highlights the fact that 66 percent of voters believe the US should call for a ceasefire, according to a recent Data for Progress survey. It also reveals a generational divide, as less than a quarter of young American likely voters approve of Biden's Israel policies, which could pose a challenge for a potential 2024 rematch with Donald Trump.

Pressure is also mounting on progressive senators, with more than 400 former campaign staffers for Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren issuing open letters urging a ceasefire. While Warren has shifted her stance to calling for a humanitarian pause, Sanders has rejected such calls.

Even within the government, dissent is emerging. Career diplomats and political appointees at the State Department are leveraging the dissent channel to express their concerns and push for a ceasefire. Additionally, over 630 employees from the international development agency USAID have urged the Biden administration to advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Furthermore, 400 congressional staffers have signed an anonymous letter echoing similar sentiments.

This wave of dissent reflects a growing sentiment among young Americans, who believe that the mainstream consensus on Israel policy has been ineffective and has allowed for dire conditions that could lead to further loss of life and potentially a wider war in the Middle East.

The Biden Alumni for Peace and Justice letter calls for not only a ceasefire but also for the use of financial and diplomatic leverage to bring it about. It urges Biden to apply pressure on Hamas to release hostages, place conditions on US military aid to Israel, and investigate whether Israeli actions in Gaza violate US law. The letter also emphasizes the need to address the root causes of the conflict, including apartheid, occupation, and ethnic cleansing.

While dissenting voices within the Democratic Party and the State Department have historically influenced policy changes, it is important to note that speaking out publicly can carry risks in the realm of politics. Nonetheless, the increasing feedback from within these organizations could potentially lead to a shift in US policy, particularly given the influence of progressives in lawmakers' offices, nonprofits, and Biden's own campaign.

The signatories of the latest letter include individuals who worked in critical states that helped secure Biden's presidency, suggesting that their support may be contingent on a change in Israel policy. Frustration is palpable among those who invested substantial time into Biden's campaign, and they hope that their concerns will be taken seriously.

As President Biden begins to fundraise for his re-election campaign, the voices of those who previously organized for him are growing louder, demanding a shift in policy on Israel. The debates surrounding US-Israel relations continue to evolve, and it remains to be seen how the dissent will impact the trajectory of US-Israeli relations moving forward.