Georgia’s Muslim Voters Express Opposition to Harris and Trump Over Israel Support

A growing number of Muslim voters in Georgia are choosing not to support incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election due to their support for Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Activists within the Muslim community are urging a shift towards third-party candidates to signify their discontent, with initial commitments from over 10,000 voters. This trend may impact the electoral prospects of Harris more significantly than Trump, who has historically struggled to secure Muslim votes.

A notable faction of Muslim voters in Georgia is expressing their intention not to support either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election, primarily due to both candidates’ endorsement of Israel amid the current unrest in the Middle East. Vice President Harris has publicly affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and indicated that she would not withhold military assistance from Israel, though she has called for a ceasefire in Gaza. In contrast, Former President Trump has recently designated himself as Israel’s “protector,” reiterating his commitment to the Jewish state. In the critical battleground of Georgia, where Trump narrowly lost to President Biden in the 2020 election, the Muslim electorate could significantly influence the outcome of the state’s 16 electoral votes. Recent polling by the Arab American Institute reveals a nearly even split among Muslim voters nationally, with Harris holding a slim advantage over Trump. Kristen Truitt, a Muslim American voter from Atlanta, has previously supported Democratic candidates but now finds it untenable to continue his support due to the party’s stance on Israel, stating, “Just to give unlimited funds and access to Israel, I think that is totally ridiculous.” This political tension arises just before the one-year anniversary of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which commenced on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that resulted in significant casualties and military responses from Israel. The dissatisfaction with both major party candidates is underscored by the growing “Abandon Harris” campaign, which encourages Muslim voters to consider third-party alternatives as a means of signaling to both major parties that they must actively seek the support of the Muslim electorate. Kareem Rosshandler, co-chair of the campaign, stated, “What we’re trying to say is we should really do away with the logic of voting for the ‘lesser of two evils.'” The campaign claims to have garnered commitments from over 10,000 Muslim voters to support third-party candidates who have criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This strategic shift is anticipated to have a more severe negative impact on Harris’s electoral prospects, given that Trump has historically struggled to attract Muslim votes. According to Emory University law professor Alicia Hughes, “That would essentially have a greater adverse impact on the Harris-Waltz ticket than it would on Trump-Vance.” Hughes also noted the potential drawbacks for both candidates should they choose to adopt a more critical approach towards Israel, suggesting that it could alienate more voters than it attracts.

The context of the article revolves around the increasing political engagement of Muslim voters in Georgia, particularly concerning their views on U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. Amid escalating violence in Gaza and broader geopolitical tensions, American Muslim voters are reassessing their loyalty to the two dominant political parties based on candidates’ positions relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The significance of Georgia as a battleground state in the electoral landscape has elevated the importance of this demographic’s preferences and actions in the impending elections, especially as their voting behavior could influence the overall electoral outcome.

In summary, a faction of Muslim voters in Georgia is determining to abstain from supporting either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, citing both candidates’ support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict. The emergence of the “Abandon Harris” campaign highlights an increasing desire among these voters to send a clear message to the two major parties regarding their expectations and to consider third-party options. This shift suggests that both candidates are at risk of alienating a demographic that could significantly influence election results, particularly in Georgia.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com