Harris threatens to further alienate Muslim voters with Shapiro VP pick

In Pennsylvania, a critical swing state won by President Biden by a slim margin of just over 80,000 votes in 2020, Vice President Kamala Harris faces challenges over voter concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of Gaza.

The consideration of Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been vocal in his support of Israel’s military actions and has controversially labeled pro-Palestine speech as “hate speech,” as her running mate has alarmed pro-Palestine advocates. This choice could jeopardize Harris’s electoral prospects further by alienating voters.

Pressure is mounting on Harris to call for a permanent ceasefire, as voters also express grave concerns about her stance on Israel which oscillates between tacit approval to direct backing. 

The potential selection of Shapiro as a vice-presidential candidate is stirring significant debate within the Muslim and Arab-American community. Despite widespread opposition from both communities to Shapiro, Salima Suswell, senior advisor to Emgage, a Muslim-American advocacy organization, and founder and chief executive of the Black Muslim Leadership Council (BMLC), endorsed him in a statement posted to Facebook. Suswell’s positive portrayal of Shapiro against the backdrop of over possibly 186,000 dead Palestinians, is particularly jarring for many Muslims in the base who figures like Suswell claim to advocate for and on behalf of. 

“As we enter the last 100 days of this presidential campaign, it is important that we not become single-issue voters,” Suswell wrote. “Our community contains multitudes, and the needs, opportunities, and challenges facing each of us vary greatly. I am confident that Governor Shapiro has the best experience to ensure that our community is valued and heard in any political role he pursues.”

“She reduced one of the worst genocides to a ‘single issue voter’ pejorative,’ said a representative from the Texas-based Fort Bend Coalition for Palestine (FBCP). “Our greatest challenge is standing firmly against injustice, because as the great black preacher MLK stated ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ The challenges facing the Muslim ummah (nation) is Islamaphobia which is directly related to the genocide in palestine.”

Suswell’s statement, which focused on the African American community and omitted mention of Palestine, reflects a broader trend within the Democratic Party where Palestinian rights are often marginalized, even by progressive members.

Shapiro’s tenure strained by Arab, Muslim relations

Suswell’s praise of Shapiro for hosting iftar dinners typifies tokenism and overlooks his Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian sentiments, signified by his disproportionate targeting and silencing of the voices in those communities. By revising his administration’s code of conduct to prohibit “scandalous or disgraceful” behavior, Shapiro has created a broad and vague standard in his state aimed at suppressing pro-Palestinian free speech. 

Shapiro’s anti-Palestinian stance, evident since his days as a college student and later as an attorney general, aligns with broader anti-Muslim and Arab policies. From investments in Israeli bonds to legislation against boycotts, Israel’s influence pervades domestic policies, impacting community relations and minority rights.

Suswell’s own presence at the controversial White House iftar and support for figures who are negatively impacting Muslim and Palestinian rights through their policies, have drawn wider criticism from the community. Suswell’s long standing relationship with Shapiro includes roles on his gubernatorial transition team and the Commission on Women. Despite Shapiro’s administration establishing commissions for various demographic groups, there is a conspicuous absence of one for Arab or Muslim Pennsylvanians. 

Suswell, however, is not the only prominent figure in the community who has aligned themselves with Shapiro. Marwan Kreidie, executive director of the Philadelphia Arab American Development Corporation, also endorsed Shapiro based on superficial actions, such as attending Ramadan events and making crisis calls, while glossing over Shapiro’s harmful policies. 

Hamza, 29, who prefers not to disclose his last name, embodies a typical young voter on the left and voter a strong advocate for political accountability. “They should not be gaslighting people from their own community by not listening to them when they say that we need better candidates,” he said, referring to figures like Suswell and Kreidi. 

Hamza told Mondoweiss he feels disillusioned by community leaders endorsing politicians who don’t genuinely support the pro-Palestinian movement. “For the first time, I’m not voting for Democrats. I’ll be voting for the Green Party. In Texas, there’s a low chance for a Democratic win, so my vote will protest the Democratic Party.”

Shifting voter dynamics

Hamza is not alone. Many Arab-American voters are leaving the democratic party, at least for this election, over the Biden-Harris adminstration’s support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. 

A recent survey by the ADC, Molitico, and Community Pulse of 43,500 Arab-American members revealed 45.3% support for Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein. With 18% undecided and 6% not voting, Harris, secured 27.5%.

These numbers indicate a significant shift in support for Harris, compared to the low numbers Biden was polling among Arab voters prior to his dropping out of the race. If she addresses key issues like Gaza substantively, Harris could win back some disillusioned voters, potentially boosting turnout and engagement, particularly where solidarity with Palestine is pivotal.

And while the presidential policy direction ultimately rests with Harris, the choice of VP will no doubt influence voter sentiment significantly. Shapiro’s selection threatens to further alienate key voter segments, dampening their already lackluster enthusiasm and participation in the Democratic party. 

A 34-year-old Palestinian organizer from Arizona, speaking anonymously, said, “Shapiro has a record of blatantly violating the Constitution in favor of Israel, particularly the First Amendment. He sought to hold Ben & Jerry’s accountable for refusing to sell their ice cream in illegal settlements.” The organizer also mentioned he will be voting for a third party in the upcoming presidential election.

Progressive U.S. leaders from across the U.S. have rallied behind Harris, while stressing the importance of selecting a VP who embodies Democratic values and appeals to a broad electorate. Governors Tim Walz and Andy Beshear are favored for their rural appeal and adherence to core party principles, whereas Shapiro’s controversial stances on school choice and environmental issues are viewed negatively by some in the base. It is clear that addressing the situation in Gaza is crucial for engaging young, progressive voters who care about an array of issues.

Moreover, selecting the right VP should not be reduced to tokenism. Palestinians and Muslims will and must demand a policy shift that holds Israel accountable and holds the U.S. government responsible to international law.

Emad Sabbab, a prominent Palestinian American leader from Georgia who collaborates with African American communities, states, “If Shapiro is the VP choice, I will completely oppose Kamala Harris and believe many in the Muslim community will rally behind a third party.” He added, “If Jill Stein chooses a Muslim VP, many in our community will support her.”

Even if Harris were to choose a different VP pick than Shapiro, for many young voters, the situation is beyond repair. The current administration’s support of the genocide has caused total disillusionment with the Democratic Party and the American voting system as a whole. Pew Research shows that one-third of adults under 30 sympathize more with Palestinians, highlighting the importance of this demographic for Democrats.

Last week, several young protesters  voiced their disillusionment during Harris’s visit  in Houston to the American Federation of Teachers Convention. Expressing dismay over Harris’s support for Israel, some declared their intention to withdraw from electoral politics. “I don’t see myself in the Democratic Party,” one protester stated. “I’m not voting because I’m not respected as a constituent.”

Moving beyond symbolism towards intersectional justice

Suswell (and many other leaders in the Muslim community) fail to recognize the potential Palestine has to galvanize and empower voters around a cause that intersects with numerous policy areas, including education, environmental justice, and human and civil rights. Many overlook the broader, interconnected impact Palestine can have on mobilizing a diverse electorate, not just Muslim and Arab voters. 

Suswell is part of a long line of Muslims who vie to be the authoritative voice for their community; however, a growing electorate is increasingly discerning about the difference between symbolic inclusion and genuine policy impact, particularly since the Gaza genocide.

Commitment to intersectional justice must extend beyond rhetoric to decisive actions and policies, engaging marginalized communities, which includes Palestinians. By selecting a candidate strong on Palestinian rights and anti-racism, Harris can galvanize progressive voters.

Solidarity among marginalized groups, especially within diverse Muslim communities, is essential for building long term collective power. By uniting, these communities can more effectively assert their demands and achieve the outcomes they seek.

The 2024 election is a chance to redefine the nation’s global role and adhere to international law. Failing this risks losing critical swing states by Democrats and further erodes the party’s moral ground. For a party claiming to champion diversity and human rights, the test is clear: Will they include Palestinian voices in their vision of justice, or sideline them for political expediency?

Muslim and Arab voters will remember the poignant words of Gaza’s poet, Refaat Al-Areer, whom Israel killed, as they head to the polls. “The Democratic Party and Biden are responsible for the Gaza genocide perpetrated by Israel.”