CHICAGO, USA: Nasser Beydoun, a leading figure in the Democratic Party in Michigan and former U.S. Senate candidate, believes that Vice President Kamala Harris has an opportunity to secure the support of Arab and Muslim Americans for her potential presidential campaign.
However, he insists that Harris must address their concerns, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Beydoun, a Lebanese American, highlighted the growing frustration within the Arab and Muslim communities over the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on the Gaza conflict. He emphasized that these communities have traditionally supported the Democratic Party, but their loyalty is not guaranteed without clear commitments from Harris. Specifically, Beydoun called for Harris to make an “explicit statement” in favor of establishing a Palestinian state and to take a firm stand against what he described as “Israeli genocide in Gaza.”
“If Kamala Harris wants our support, she needs to earn it by committing to a Palestinian state and refusing to veto international efforts supporting it,” Beydoun stated. He criticized Harris for her current position, which includes supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and calling for a ceasefire, but not going further to address the deeper issues at play.
Beydoun also pointed out that the days of Arab and Muslim Americans voting for candidates simply because they are not the Republican option are over. He argued that Harris, or any candidate seeking their votes, must now demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing their concerns.
He also criticized former President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee, as not being a viable alternative for Arab and Muslim voters, citing his lack of understanding of right and wrong in foreign policy matters.
Beydoun’s remarks underscore a broader dissatisfaction within these communities, who are increasingly demanding more concrete actions from their political leaders. As the 2024 elections approach, Harris and other candidates will need to navigate these concerns carefully if they hope to win over this critical voting bloc.
