Campus protests over the war in Gaza shake up Senate races as campaign rhetoric intensifies | KTAB

The student protest movement against the war in Gaza is not only causing disruptions on university campuses but is also impacting Senate contests across the nation. Democrats are facing internal divisions over their stance on President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, while Republicans are seizing the opportunity to highlight these disagreements.

Tent encampments have sprung up at universities in key states where Democrats are defending Senate seats crucial to maintaining their majority. Police crackdowns and arrests have followed at some schools, intensifying the political rhetoric in states like Pennsylvania, Nevada, Ohio, and Michigan. Republican candidates in California and Florida have criticized Biden’s response to the war and the chaos on campuses.

The protests have become a test of leadership and moral courage for politicians on both sides. Republicans have condemned the protests as lawless and antisemitic, while Democrats have tried to balance their criticism of antisemitism with the support for free expression and peaceful protest. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is using the protests in digital ads to paint Democrats as supporters of radicalized students threatening Jews and acting like terrorists.

Both parties are calling for action against antisemitism on campuses, with Republicans advocating for the revocation of federal subsidies for universities tolerating antisemitism. Democratic senators like Bob Casey and Jacky Rosen have condemned acts of antisemitism and called for accountability from the Education Department. The issue is expected to play a significant role in upcoming Senate races, particularly in states like Michigan with a sizable Muslim population.