In recent weeks, President Joe Biden's efforts to maintain a united front within his coalition have been tested as protests against Israel's war in Gaza intensify and spread to college campuses across the country. The emergence of these protests has prompted pro-Israel Democrats to push the president to respond more forcefully to incidents of antisemitism at universities, echoing calls made by Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, who have criticized the Biden administration's handling of the situation.

Initially, Democrats on Capitol Hill and within the party took a cautious approach when it came to addressing the conflict in Gaza. However, as the protests persist and college officials consider cancelling commencement ceremonies, Republicans have seized the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration's perceived incompetence. This has put pressure on Biden to find a balance between maintaining coalition unity and addressing the concerns raised by pro-Israel Democrats.

In a notable shift in tone, the White House and congressional leaders spoke out on Tuesday against the overnight occupation of an academic building by protesters at Columbia University. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated that while President Biden respects the right to free expression, forcefully taking over buildings is not peaceful and is unequivocally wrong. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also denounced the protests, suggesting that they were on the verge of crossing into criminality.

Despite these statements, there are calls from both sides for Biden to take a stronger stance against the protesters. However, doing so may risk alienating younger voters who overwhelmingly disapprove of his handling of the Gaza war, according to recent polls. In a surprising move, the College Democrats of America, a mainstream organization that supported Biden in the 2020 election, expressed solidarity with the campus protesters, many of whom are Jewish themselves. While reaffirming their support for Democrats, the organization warned that the party's failure to stand united for a permanent ceasefire and recognition of a Palestinian state is causing disillusionment among the youth.

Republicans have wasted no time in capitalizing on these developments. House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that Republicans will hold universities accountable for their failure to protect Jewish students on campus. They plan to highlight the Democrats' stance on Israel and proposed legislation on antisemitism, using it as a political wedge issue leading up to the November elections.

Divisions within the Democratic Party have become more pronounced in recent days. Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz questioned Senator Bernie Sanders' silence on antisemitism, while New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended Sanders, emphasizing his commitment to protecting innocents in Gaza based on his Jewish values. This exchange highlighted the complex dynamics within the party and the varying viewpoints on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In an attempt to address the escalating situation, nearly two dozen House Democrats sent a letter to the board of trustees of Columbia University, demanding that they clear the protest encampments or step down. The protesters at Columbia's Hamilton Hall, who referred to their occupation as a "liberation" in honor of a young Palestinian child killed during the Israeli military offensive, displayed banners calling for an uprising and demanding justice.

Parallels can be drawn between this current situation and past movements such as the antiwar demonstrations of the 1960s and Occupy Wall Street. Republicans have used rhetoric emphasizing "law and order" and painting the protests as a sign of anarchy, similar to tactics employed by Richard Nixon in 1968. Meanwhile, within official Washington, there is a palpable degree of unity in supporting Israel's mission to dismantle Hamas, despite some progressive leaders expressing criticism towards Israel's tactics in Gaza.

As the tension between Democratic officials and activists escalates, there remains a disconnect between the progressive base and elected officials. While some believe that the progressive base will ultimately align with the Biden administration, notable leaders like Sanders and Warren have not overtly challenged the White House on the issue.

President Biden faces the challenge of balancing the concerns of pro-Israel Democrats, addressing antisemitic incidents on college campuses, managing growing protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, and maintaining the support of younger voters. The coming weeks will prove crucial in determining how Biden navigates these challenges and holds his coalition together.