Democratic divisions over Israel policy heat up as Biden tries to keep his coalition together

The deadly surprise offensive by Hamas militants on Israel over the weekend threatens to ignite tensions between moderate and progressive Democrats already divided over the Jewish state's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

For President Joe Biden, that long-simmering discord is at risk of mushrooming into a divisive intraparty clash over the US government's next moves - especially as Israel launches what it has promised will be a ferocious crackdown on Gaza - that could ultimately threaten the liberal coalition so crucial to his reelection strategy.

Early signs of Democratic infighting and anxieties over potentially difficult choices to come have been cast into sharper relief by the near unanimity among high-profile Republicans on Israel. From powerful figures in Washington to the GOP presidential primary field, they have almost unanimously pledged unquestioning solidarity with the Israeli government while blaming Biden, who recently agreed a limited deal with Tehran to free hostages in exchange for unfreezing billions in Iranian assets, for not taking a harder line in the region.

Though hardly new or novel, angry rumblings from inside the Democratic tent began almost immediately in aftermath of the first round of attacks by Hamas over the weekend. Staunchly pro-Israel moderates, led by Biden, responded with firm resolutions of support for Israel and condemnations of what many described as an "unprovoked" assault by Hamas.

Progressives, though, sought a more nuanced description of the escalating conflict, mixing expressions of grief over the deadly violence with attempts to highlight the devastating - and radicalizing - effects of Israel's blockade of Gaza. That policy denies Gaza residents critical supplies and freedom of movement and, paired with a surge of Jewish Israeli settlers taking over land in the occupied West Bank, helped fuel the momentum, as some progressives have characterized it, for such a widespread and brutal reprisal from Palestinian militant groups.

In a statement Saturday morning, as the breadth of the attack became clear, Biden "unequivocally" condemned "this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza" and reported telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel."

"Terrorism is never justified," Biden added. "Israel has a right to defend itself and its people."