In recent events, a group of pro-Palestinian protestors has been closely following President Joe Biden, voicing their concerns and interrupting his speeches on multiple occasions. While their numbers only amount to a few dozen, their presence and chants demanding action have raised concerns within the Democratic Party.

During a speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, President Biden was delivering a passionate address about the potential collapse of American democracy if he fails to defeat former President Donald Trump. Outside the venue, pro-Palestinian protestors stood on a grassy patch, chanting rhymes such as "Hey hey, ho ho, genocide Joe has got to go!"

In another instance at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where the president was remembering the nine congregants tragically killed by a White supremacist in 2015, three protestors, two White individuals and one Black, stood in the middle of the church, chanting "Ceasefire now!" This interruption forced Biden to address the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, diverting the focus from his intended message linking the legacy of White supremacy to Trump.

Biden's campaign aides had anticipated these protests, acknowledging that they would persist in different settings such as outside the White House, fundraising events, and the campaign trail. Even before the president arrived at the church, the pastor had cautioned the crowd to be respectful, aware that protests were likely to occur. Junior operatives at the event had already identified the specific protestors over an hour before they disrupted the proceedings.

Although Biden's aides try to downplay the significance of these protests, many prominent Democrats fear that they indicate a decline in support for the president within his own party. The protests have been consistent among younger voters, Arab Americans, and segments of the progressive wing. Demonstrations have taken place outside the White House and at various campaign events, accompanied by anonymous letters from staffers calling for a ceasefire and even resignations.

Biden's team believes that these protests further emphasize the urgent need for a swift resolution to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, in addition to the humanitarian concerns the president has already acknowledged. Biden stated, "I understand the passion, and I've been quietly working with the Israeli government to reduce—significantly get out of Gaza," as the protestors were escorted out.

However, the response from the non-protesting audience at the Mother Emanuel AME Church revealed the strong support Biden still maintains. As the activists were led away, hundreds of attendees began chanting "Four more years!" One woman praised Biden for his understanding and goodwill, asserting that the protestors failed to recognize those qualities.

Notably, the protests at a venue memorializing victims of White supremacy drew criticism from Black leaders who felt that the church and the memories of the slain congregants were being tarnished. Florida state Senator Shev Jones, who chairs the Biden campaign in the state, urged progressives to consider the stakes of the upcoming election and not abandon Biden out of disappointment.

The pressure on President Biden due to the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to mount three months after the attacks from Hamas. In addition to facing criticism from progressives, Biden is met with resistance from the Israeli government and a growing impatience from the international community. Some senior aides have warned Biden about the negative political implications of supporting Israel from the start.

While Biden remains steadfast in his conviction that his stance on the conflict is a matter of right versus wrong, progressive activists believe that making him feel political repercussions at home may be their only chance to influence his Israel policy. With each passing day of the war, these activists further entrench themselves, highlighting their position as the only truly progressive solution to the conflict. Protests have escalated to the extent of shutting down major roads in cities like New York and Chicago.

Biden's camp is acutely aware of the situation and has already identified most of the colleagues who signed an anonymous letter last week, calling for a ceasefire. Despite the protests, polls indicate that a significant portion of the American public continues to support Biden's stance on Israel. It is a consistently popular issue for a president whose approval rating has remained around 40%. In a recent Quinnipiac poll, 69% of voters agreed that supporting Israel is in the national interest of the United States.

White House spokesman Andrew Bates emphasized that peaceful demonstrations are a constitutional right in response to questions about the protests during official events. The Biden administration refers to the "quiet majority," who are presumed to share the president's center-left, moderate approach. Biden's handling of both the protests and the larger issue at hand offers him an opportunity to showcase the type of president he aspires to be and draw a contrast to former President Trump.

Michael Tyler, the communications director for the campaign, described Biden's approach as that of a human being and statesman rather than a politician. Tyler highlighted the stark difference between Biden's respectful engagement with differing viewpoints and the perceived exploitation of Americans' differences by Trump and his supporters.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict persists, President Biden faces mounting pressure from both progressive activists and international stakeholders. The president's response to the protests, alongside his handling of the larger issue, will likely influence his public perception and shape the political landscape for the upcoming elections.