At a town hall-style meeting near her home in rural southwestern Wisconsin, Elizabeth Humphries raised concerns to her congressman about President Biden’s approach to Israel’s war in Gaza. Representative Mark Pocan, who voted against the recent aid package for Israel, assured her that he was conveying those concerns to the White House. The event was captured on video for further reference.
Following the approval of a significant aid package to Israel, including security assistance, Mr. Pocan returned to his district to address constituents’ reservations about U.S. involvement in the conflict. Despite the widespread support for Biden among young progressives, Mr. Pocan is highlighting the dissatisfaction among white rural voters in his district.
Many voters in Wisconsin are expressing frustration with the administration’s stance on Israel, leading to concerns about Biden’s reelection prospects. While some have refrained from voting for him in protest, others are urging the president to take a tougher stance against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
During recent events with Mr. Pocan, questions about Israel and Gaza dominated the discussions. While there is general agreement that the U.S. should do more to address the conflict, there are also concerns about antisemitism and support for pro-Palestinian protests.
Mr. Pocan has been advocating for leveraging military funding to pressure Israel to change its tactics in Gaza. He has led efforts in Congress to pause offensive weapons sales to Israel and ensure compliance with international law.
Despite concerns about Biden’s approach to Israel, many attendees at Mr. Pocan’s events support the president and hope for his reelection. However, the growing discontent over Gaza could impact Biden’s chances, especially among young voters.
Mr. Pocan has conveyed constituents’ concerns to the White House and believes that there is alignment between the administration’s stance and what voters in his district want to see.
