The hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians, with a balance of at least 210 deaths in a week of bombardments in the Gaza Strip, are opening a very visible wedge within the Democratic Party. While President Joe Biden's administration remains firm in its position of defending the interests of Israel, its main ally in the area, the most progressive wing of the party understands it as a racial issue within a “colonization” scenario where it matters more. the right of the Israelis to defend themselves than that of the Palestinians to survive.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a congresswoman from New York, made it clear with an impassioned speech last Thursday in the House of Representatives in which she accused the president of siding with “the occupation.”. Ocasio-Cortez wondered if the Palestinians have the right to survive after Biden's words justifying the intense Israeli attacks.

The New Yorker's speech preceded the joint declaration of almost 150 progressive organizations demanding solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemning “state violence” and the supremacy that Israel is exercising in Jerusalem. They compare the lack of rights of the Palestinian population with the drama of immigrants on the border with Mexico or police brutality in the United States. There is even a hashtag that they are using on social media, #PalestinianLivesMatter.

Also taking part, as was to be expected, was the first congresswoman of Palestinian origin, Rashida Tlaib.. He gave himself as an example that the Palestinians really exist and that they are human, in addition to talking about the “apartheid” that the Israeli state is leading in the region. The response from the more conservative wing came from Ted Deutch, representative for Florida. “If I have to choose between a terrorist organization and a Democratic ally, I will be on Israel's side,” he said from Congress..

In the background, the US blockade in the United Nations Security Council to sign a joint declaration of ceasefire in the region after the emergency meeting on Sunday. This despite the warning of the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, about the violation of international laws that involves “indiscriminate attacks against civilians” in the Gaza Strip.. “The carnage has continued today. This insane cycle of bloodshed, terror and destruction must stop immediately,” said the Portuguese.

In the US, the requests for a ceasefire have not been limited to the progressive bench. On Sunday, Republican Senator Todd Young signed a joint statement with his Connecticut counterpart, Democrat Chris Murphy, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East..

“Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas rocket attacks, in proportion to the threat faced by its citizens,” they said in a statement.. “As a result of the Hamas rocket attacks and Israel's response, both sides must recognize that too many lives have been lost and must not further escalate the conflict.”

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said from Copenhagen that they are investigating the bombing of a building in Gaza that housed various international media, including the US agency Associated Press.. Israel has justified the destruction of the 12-story structure by the presence of Hamas “Intelligence assets”. The U.S. has limited itself to requesting additional information.

In Washington, Biden is currently silent on the political storm unleashed in his party, although a change of position by the president is not expected. It is 50 years of unconditional support for Israel.