It’s election day. The candidates have spent the past week making their final cases to the American public.
In a speech in the important swing state of Michigan Vice President Kamala Harris told the audience that she would work to secure a ceasefire.
“This year has been difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon, it is devastating. And as president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security and self-determination,” she told the crowd.
It’s presumably difficult for many voters to take this sentiment seriously, as Harris has not indicated she will deviate from Biden’s Gaza policy and has flatly said she won’t cut off weapons shipments to Israel.
Recent reports indicate that former president Donald Trump has told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wants the assault on Gaza wrapped up before he returns to The White House.
Like most Trump statements, it’s unclear what exactly is being expressed. Some voters might interpret this as an optimistic sign, while others will perceive it as an ominous warning, as Trump has said he wants Israel to “finish the job” and stated he would give Netanyahu freer reign. He also criticized President Biden for allegedly restricting potential targets for Israel’s recent ballistic attack on Iran.
Some interesting final polls have been released.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’s (CAIR) final poll shows Green Party candidate Jill Stein and Harris essentially tied among Muslim voters, with Trump lagging far behind.
CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw:
“Since CAIR’s last poll in late August, both Dr. Jill Stein and Vice President Harris have consolidated support among American Muslim voters and remain nearly tied at 42 percent and 41 percent while former president Donald Trump’s support remains static 10 percent. The significant drop in support for major presidential candidates compared to 2020 and 2016 is almost certainly a result of community concerns regarding the genocide in Gaza. We encourage all presidential candidates to address the concerns of Muslim voters in these final days of the campaign, and we encourage all American Muslim voters to turn out regardless of who they support.”
Then we had an election eve poll from the Arab American Institute (AAI) showing that Harris and Trump voters agree on a ceasefire and weapons restrictions for Israel.
77% of Harris voters and 51% of Trump voters said it was important that the U.S. government force an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza. 64% of Harris voters and 37% of Trump voters say the U.S. should apply pressure on the Israeli government to end its illegal occupation. 65% of Harris voters and 45% of Trump voters say the U.S. should restrict assistance to Israel if it continues its assault on Gaza and its attacks on Lebanon.
From the group’s summary of the survey:
“On the day before the election, American voters are clear that the current administration’s approach is not in line with public opinion. 63% of Americans want the United States to demand a ceasefire and 44% believe current policy is too one-sided towards Israel. Half of all of voters want the next President to apply more pressure on Israel to end the occupation. Whoever win the 2024 election has the opportunity to take real and popular steps to end the current violence and the long-term plight of the Palestinian people.”
Here’s some stories I’m reading as the 2024 election finally comes to an end:
- A community divided: With Gaza on their minds, Muslim and Arab Americans weigh their options ahead of election day
- The case for abandoning the burning house
- Sludge: AIPAC’s Republican-Funded Super PAC Boosts L.A. Incumbent House Democrat
- Al Jazeera: Trump or Harris? Gaza war drives many Arab and Muslim voters to Jill Stein
- New York Times: I Voted for Harris but Gaza’s Horrors Weigh on My Conscience
- New York Times: Whatever Happens Next, Trump Has Already Won a Tragic Victory
- Jewish Insider: Howard Lutnick, the pro-Israel champion leading Trump’s transition team
- American Prestige: Foreign Policy and the 2024 US Presidential Election
- Responsible Statecraft: Israel using US election to take free hand against Gaza, Lebanon
- Common Dreams: What the US Air Force Doesn’t Want You to Notice on Election Night
- The Intercept: Why Progressive Legislators Live in Fear of AIPAC
- Politico: He’s an Arab mayor in Michigan. Here’s why he’s unapologetically pro-Trump
- Al Jazeera: What do people in Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon think about the US election?
- NBC News: Palestinians in Gaza want U.S. Presidential Election to ‘stop the war’
- The Guardian: Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib declines to endorse Kamala Harris
- In These Times: Can Kamala Harris Find Voters In Dearborn?
- The Forward: Could U.S. voters living in Israel swing the election?
The time is ripening for anyone with a vision of how to co-exist to advance the discussion beyond the questions on existence for Israelis and on genocide for the Palestinians. To capitalize on public awareness and a new President.