While driving recently, I saw a lawn sign that grabbed my attention. It simply said: 鈥淗arris obviously.鈥
To millions of Americans concerned about former President Donald Trump鈥檚 potential return to the White House, their decision on Nov. 5 has never been more apparent. For others, though, it鈥檚 not so simple. In 2020, 74 million people voted for Trump. Within that number were quite a few Jewish and Muslim Americans.
The upcoming one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 鈥 significant to so many Jewish and Muslim Americans and coming less than a month before the presidential election 鈥 presents an excellent opportunity to revisit the candidate鈥檚 positions on this subject.
Think back to that day. Without warning, Hamas launched a series of coordinated attacks on Israel, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,100 Israelis. In addition, they abducted another 251, including children, women, and older adults. This assault, which encompassed the slaughter of babies and the rape of women, was the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
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For some Jewish Americans, the violence of that day legitimized any Israeli response, regardless of its severity. Consequently, while the Biden Administration has exerted diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire in its ongoing conflict in Gaza, Trump has repeatedly claimed that he 鈥渇ought for Israel like no president ever before.鈥 This may lead many Jewish Americans to vote for Trump without hesitation.
Israel鈥檚 subsequent invasion has resulted in more than 40,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by the Hamas-controlled health ministry. Additionally, 1.9 million of Gaza鈥檚 2.1 million residents have been displaced. Most of them are currently living in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, facing severe shortages of food, water, medical care, and other necessities.
Israel鈥檚 response, along with the Biden Administration鈥檚 ongoing support, has sparked pro-Palestinian protests throughout the United States. Many Muslim Americans have also grown weary of the Biden Administration鈥檚 reluctance to strongarm Israel into an immediate ceasefire. This could have significant political implications, particularly in swing states like Michigan.
In light of recent developments, which candidate is best suited to handle the situation in the Middle East?
For starters, Jewish Americans should not rush to condemn Vice President Kamala Harris. At the Democratic National Convention, she said, 鈥淟et me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel鈥檚 right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.鈥
Addressing the other side, Vice President Harris added, 鈥淲hat has happened in Gaza in the past ten months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.鈥 She promised to work for a cease-fire so 鈥淧alestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.鈥 In her own words, Harris aims to be fair to both sides.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, recently spoke to Jewish audiences like they were petulant children, saying that any 鈥淛ewish person鈥 who votes for Kamala Harris is a 鈥渇ool鈥 who 鈥渟hould have their head examined.鈥 He added: 鈥淚f I don鈥檛 win this election ... Jewish people would have a lot to do with that.鈥
It鈥檚 ironic that when Trump spoke these words, he was putatively addressing the rise in antisemitism in America. When he proclaimed that 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 treated properly by the voters who happen to be Jewish,鈥 his implied threat should remind us that as president, Trump also responded to the violence by neo-Nazi protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, by saying there were 鈥渧ery fine people on both sides.鈥
Time and again, Trump has said whatever would gain him the most votes. So perhaps it is Jewish Americans who still believe the former president is their friend who, to paraphrase Trump, should have their heads examined.
Muslim Americans should also carefully consider their some factors before supporting Trump. In addition to pledging unwavering support for Israel, he has vowed to reinstate his travel ban on residents of several Muslim-majority nations.
The situation in the Middle East is highly intricate, and the recent hostility between Israel and Hezbollah has only exacerbated the issue.
Ultimately, all Americans must consider who is best equipped to handle this diplomatic Gordian Knot: the 78-year-old self-proclaimed 鈥渟table genius鈥 who would say anything to regain the White House, or the 59-year-old vice president who simply wants to heal a divided nation.