As the American presidential elections approach their climax today, I reflect on the opportunities the Democratic Party may have missed.
Reports emerging from Detroit suggest Michigan is once again a battleground state, much like in 2022 and previous election cycles. However, this time, the Democrats may be at risk of losing Michigan's critical electoral votes due to the shifting sentiments stirred by the situation in Gaza and Palestine. Michigan, home to a significant immigrant population -- especially Arabs from the Middle East and Muslims worldwide -- has become the “eye of the storm.”
The prolonged and destructive conflict waged by an increasingly aggressive Israeli government, led by PM Netanyahu and a coalition with some extremist religious parties, has deeply troubled American Muslims, Arabs, and many other Americans, particularly college-age youth who are now voters. Many ask: How can such inhumane warfare be permitted, where one side possesses overwhelming military power, thanks to advanced American weaponry and diplomatic cover?
Shocked by the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government responded with severe measures, escalating violence and breaking established norms of warfare set by the United Nations and the Geneva Conventions. Acting as though history began on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government has treated the attack, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis, as justification to indiscriminately target men, women, and children using some of the most powerful non-nuclear weapons known to humanity.
Under President Biden, the US government has fully backed this disproportionate reaction, offering Israel unconditional support. To date, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed -- primarily civilians, including over 10,000 children -- and countless more may lie buried beneath the rubble that was once Gaza. Many children have been shot by military snipers.
As Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted in a recent statement, while Israel has the right to defend itself, it has no right to kill civilians, destroy hospitals and universities, or target healthcare workers and journalists.
The Arab American, Muslim American, and broader American communities are appalled by the level of violence Israel has unleashed, with active support from the US government and its Western allies. Many feel that the US government has become beholden to Jerusalem, unable to oppose Netanyahu, a weakened leader who might otherwise face legal consequences for corruption.
The irony is painful: This violence, inflicted by a Democratic administration that traditionally condemns other nations for human rights violations, has unfolded despite significant support from Michigan’s Arab and Muslim voters in the 2022 election. Consequently, several prominent Muslim religious leaders in Michigan have urged their congregations to withhold support from the Democratic Party.
Some have even encouraged votes for Donald Trump, who has portrayed himself as a “candidate for peace” and made promises to this community. Others, however, caution that Trump’s history of falsehoods makes him unreliable; he may simply be exploiting Muslim anger to secure votes without genuine intention to curb Israel’s actions. Trump, after all, has previously expressed hostility towards Islam.
The question remains: What good is “peace” without justice? If the Middle East status quo were frozen for 20 years in the name of peace, how would this benefit Gaza? Would such “peace” not reward the aggressors, perpetuating violence and oppression in Palestine? Can there ever be true peace without justice or hope?
When Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee, her position on this war was largely unclear. Initially, she spoke in favour of a two-state solution and voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis. But soon after, her public stance shifted, likely due to pressure from the influential pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, which can make or break political campaigns.
Disappointed, many Americans who sympathize with Gaza are now considering voting for third-party candidates in states where their votes may not affect the outcome. Others are prepared to vote for Trump in critical states like Michigan, where even a few thousand votes could tip the scales, as was the case in past elections.
Despite the risks, thousands of Arab and Muslim Americans are ready to send a clear message to both major parties, particularly the Democrats, that their support should not be taken for granted.
If VP Harris had genuinely engaged with those troubled by Biden’s unreserved support for Israel’s aggressive campaign, she might have issued a letter like the one below. This message, echoing the calls for justice made by Senator Sanders and others, could have reassured many American voters.
Arab and Muslim Americans are ready to send a clear message to both major parties, particularly the Democrats, that their support should not be taken for granted
A hypothetical message from candidate Harris to Americans who care about Gaza and Palestine
Fellow Americans,
I realize many of you are distressed by the war in Gaza, and the role America has played in this conflict. I am committed to change the future policy to attain peace based on justice.
To this end, today I pledge that on “day one” of my presidency, I will take the following actions:
- Contact Israeli PM Netanyahu to inform him that all American military aid to Israel will be suspended within three days unless Israel agrees to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, and withdraws its forces to pre-October 7, 2023, positions.
- Halt the transfer of offensive weaponry to Israel, citing the “clear risk that such arms will be used to harm civilians and non-combatants in violation of international law.” Under this ceasefire, all Israeli troops will leave Gaza, and UN peacekeeping forces will ensure security, law, and order in Gaza and Israel. This aligns with past UN resolutions and recent appeals from 15 humanitarian organizations urging an immediate ceasefire to prevent a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
- Launch a large-scale humanitarian operation in partnership with allies in Europe and globally to aid Gaza's wounded and displaced residents, helping them return to their homes and gradually rebuild.
- Collaborate with Congress to secure $500 million for a $1 billion disaster relief package aimed at addressing starvation, lack of basic infrastructure, and urgent medical needs in Gaza. This will be followed by a $5bn global aid initiative involving over 100 nations to transform Gaza into a safe, democratic, and economically vibrant community in the Middle East.
- Advocate for a two-state solution where an independent Palestinian state coexists peacefully with Israel. Acknowledging necessary land exchanges to ensure territorial integrity, I will leverage the full influence of the US to achieve this outcome.
- Promote peace and prosperity in the Middle East, which will benefit both Palestine and Israel and contribute to a more peaceful world.
The Harris-Walz administration is steadfastly committed to these goals while maintaining our commitment to Israel's defense.
Thank you.
Sadly, such an outreach is unlikely to materialize, as this would entail recognizing the humanity of Palestinians as an oppressed people, something that the Israeli lobby opposes. History will judge how a commitment to human rights and humanitarian relief in Gaza might have altered the trajectory of the 2024 American presidential election.
Dr Munir Quddus teaches economics at Prairie View A&M University as an endowed professor and serves as Dean of the College of Business.He is President of the Bangladesh Development Initiative (BDI), a non-partisan, non-profit think tank based in the United States. He can be reached at [email protected]. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not reflect those of any institution with which he is affiliated.
