While only a minor voting bloc, Muslims say endorsements shows their anger over bipartisan support for Israel could sway the election
Independent presidential candidate Cornel West walks through crowd as pro-Palestinian protesters in Union Park prepare to march before start of Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on 19 August 2024 (Matthew Hatcher/AFP)
A coalition of Muslim-American groups angry at US support for Israel‘s devastating war on Gaza is asking Muslim voters to shun Democratic Party candidate Kamala Harris in November’s presidential race and back either Jill Stein, Cornel West or other pro-Palestine candidates.
“After extensive consultation, discussion, and deliberation, the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force has decided to encourage American Muslims to vote for any presidential candidate of their choosing who supports a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a US arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as candidates Dr Jill Stein, Dr Cornel West or Chase Oliver,” read the statement, obtained by Middle East Eye.
The statement was written by the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force, an umbrella group formed this year that consists of a number of prominent Muslim organisations including the political arms of Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP), Cair, and the US Council of Muslim Organizations.
In addition to calling on Muslim Americans to vote for a pro-Palestine candidate at the presidential level, the task force’s statement emphasises the need to vote for down-ballot candidates who are also advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and arms embargo on Israel.
The statement falls short of endorsing a specific candidate in the presidential election and comes after long deliberations between the leaders of these prominent Muslim organisations.
But the decision to officially call on members of the faith community to vote against either the Democratic or Republican Party marks a major and historic shift in Muslim American voting patterns.
It also shows a possible turning point for Muslim Americans and their large-scale support for the Democratic Party, with US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ fervent support for Israel’s war on Gaza as the main factor behind this shift.
“We cannot endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy because of her refusal to even consider imposing the arms embargo on the Israeli government required by US laws and her failure to promise any other changes whatsoever to President Biden’s failed policy of steadfast financial, diplomatic and military support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” the statement read.
While Muslim-Americans only make up one percent of the US population, the 2.5 million strong voter bloc has sizeable populations in key swing states like Michigan, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
Muslim-American leaders are hoping that their get-out-the-vote call will show the country, and its two main political parties, that the community will not remain silent over the US’s unrelenting bipartisan support for Israel’s war efforts against the Palestinian people.
“The American Muslim community has experienced rapid political growth and maturity in recent years,” the statement said.
“We hope and pray that the 2024 presidential election, regardless of the outcome, is a turning point towards a stronger American Muslim community and a better country for all Americans and people around the world impacted by American policy, including in Gaza.”
Read the rest of the is article via the above link to it in Middle East Eye.