Biden tries to navigate the Israel-Hamas war protests roiling college campuses

By WILL WEISSERT, MICHELLE L. PRICE and CHRIS MEGERIAN
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Student protests over the war in Gaza have created a new and unpredictable challenge for President Joe Biden as he resists calls to cut off U.S. support for Israel while trying to hold together a coalition of supporters he’ll need for reelection. While so far limited to only a few campuses, they’ve seized attention and resurfaced questions about Biden’s lagging support from young voters and his handling of Israel’s war with Hamas. At best, the protests are a passing distraction while Biden presses forward with negotiations over a ceasefire. At worst, they build momentum toward the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.