by
Osama Siblani
Many Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan voted "uncommitted" in the February presidential primary, angry over America's Israel policy regarding the war in Gaza.
Many are still angry at the Biden admnistration, arguing that it needs to do more to broker a cease fire in Gaza and cut off arms to Israel. Still, some realize Donald Trump may be even worse when it comes to Israel policy, leaving, as an article in the Dearborn-based Arab American News puts it, "with conflicting choices, each more bitter than the other."
The article goes on:
Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, prefers to wait before answering such thorny questions “until the picture becomes clearer as the scheduled date for the presidential elections on the fifth of November approaches.” He pointed out the positive statements made by Harris during the presidential debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, which included calling for a ceasefire in the occupied territories, declaring it’s time to end the war in Gaza, provide aid for affected civilians in Gaza, help in rebuilding the destroyed strip and support a two-state solution, as well as her support for the self determination of the Palestinian people.
Siblani was one of the fiercest opponents of supporting Biden in the primaries in February, asserting that Arab and Muslim Americans would not vote for the Democratic president “even if he stood on his head, let alone when he can’t stand on his feet.” He repeatedly reminded people that Biden is complicit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the crimes of ethnic cleansing and genocide in the Gaza Strip.
“We must wait and not reveal our electoral choice while continuing to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, an end to military aid to the occupying Israeli army and urgent humanitarian assistance to more than 2.2 million Palestinians in the devastated Gaza Strip,” he said.
Michigan has 15 electoral votes and is considered one of the key states Kamala Harris needs to declare victory.
