US President Joe Biden may have achieved a comfortable victory in Michigan’s Democratic presidential primary this week, but his campaign will nevertheless be keeping a close eye on the significant protest vote against his administration’s strong support for Israel in its war on Gaza.
US support for Israel’s unremitting military offensive in Gaza has provoked widespread anger among America’s sizeable Arab-American population, as well as wide swathes of Democrat and younger voter base.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected Biden’s calls for a ceasefire, insisting that the demands Hamas is making in return for agreeing to release more than 100 Israeli hostages are “delusional”. The Israeli premier insists Israel’s military offensive in Gaza will only end when “total victory” has been achieved against Hamas.
Read more: Netanyahu's 'absolute victory' in Gaza looks increasingly unlikely
Having argued strongly against Israel’s plan to extend its military offensive against Gaza's southern city of Rafah, Biden responded this week that Israel could "lose support from around the world" if it "keeps up with this incredibly conservative government they have".
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is still working on its plan to implement a wide-ranging ceasefire plan, which would involve Hamas releasing Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners gaining their freedom, that would be implemented in time for the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on 10 March.