As the US presidential election approaches, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are focusing on key battleground states with significant Arab American and Jewish populations, where the ongoing crisis in the Middle East is shaping their campaigns. Harris, while expressing support for Israel, has faced criticism for her comments on civilian casualties in Gaza and Lebanon. Trump, on the other hand, has taken a more assertive stance, claiming the conflict would not have occurred under his leadership and criticising Harris’s approach.
The dynamics of the conflict have led to mixed reactions from voters in battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. While Harris attempts to align her messaging with President Joe Biden’s policies, some in the Democratic Party express frustration over Trump’s bold foreign policy statements. An AP-NORC poll shows that voters are split on who would handle the Middle East situation better, with Republicans largely backing Trump and some Democrats expressing discontent with Harris.
In Michigan, home to the largest Arab American community in the US, the war’s impact is deeply personal, with the community calling for a ceasefire and criticising the Biden administration’s stance. Harris’s policies, which have not significantly diverged from Biden’s, have led to disappointment among some leaders in the Arab American community.
Overall, the Middle East crisis is playing a significant role in the US presidential race, with both Harris and Trump vying for support from key demographics in battleground states. Voters continue to evaluate each candidate’s approach to the conflict as election day draws near.
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