US Election and Gaza Grief Stir Anguish Among Palestinian Americans

Palestinian American Samia Assed, disheartened by the Biden administration's approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict, initially saw hope in Vice President Kamala Harris. However, her optimism faded when a request for a Palestinian American speaker at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) was denied. Listening to Harris left her feeling that the Democratic nominee would continue policies that many in the anti-war camp oppose. "I couldn't breathe because I felt unseen and erased," said Assed, a community organiser in New Mexico.

For months, Palestinian Americans have grappled with the rising death toll in Gaza and their government's support for Israel. Alongside pro-Palestinian allies, they have mourned, organised, lobbied, and protested as the violence unfolded on their screens or impacted their families. Now, they face difficult voting decisions, especially in battleground states. "It's a very hard time for Palestinian youth and Palestinian Americans," Assed said. "There's a lot of pain."

Palestinian Americans' Voting Dilemma

Assed, a lifelong Democrat and feminist, finds herself torn between blocking another Donald Trump presidency and holding the Democrats accountable. "Without meaningful change, voting for Harris feels like a jab in the heart," she said. She wants to remain engaged with the Democrats "to hold them liable." This sentiment is shared by many in her community.

In Georgia, Ghada Elnajjar has been haunted by the Gaza bloodshed. The war claimed over 100 members of her extended family in Gaza, where her parents were born. She saw missed opportunities at the DNC to connect with voters like her. Besides rejecting a Palestinian speaker request, Elnajjar found a disconnect between US policies and Harris's assertion that she and President Joe Biden were working towards a cease-fire and hostage deal.

"Without stopping US financial support and military aid to Israel, this will not stop," said Elnajjar, who campaigned for Biden in 2020. "I'm a US citizen. I'm a taxpayer ... and I feel betrayed and neglected." She will keep looking for policy changes but may remain "uncommitted," potentially leaving the top of the ticket blank unless Harris earns her vote.

Calls for Policy Change

Harris stated in her DNC speech that she and Biden were working to end the war so that Israel is secure, hostages are released, suffering in Gaza ends, and Palestinians can realise their rights to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. She emphasised that she "will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself" while describing Gaza's suffering as "heartbreaking."

Despite some viewing Harris's recent rhetoric on Palestinian suffering as empathetic, many are frustrated by the lack of concrete policy shifts. Activists demanding a permanent cease-fire have called for an embargo on US weapons to Israel. According to Gaza health officials, Israel's military campaign has killed over 40,000 Palestinians.

The conflict began with an October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants that killed around 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages. Layla Elabed, co-director of the Uncommitted National Movement, said the demand for policy change remains strong. Nationally, "uncommitted" has garnered hundreds of thousands of votes in Democratic primaries.

Elabed mentioned that Harris and her team have been invited to meet with "uncommitted" movement leaders from key swing states and Palestinian families who lost relatives in Gaza before September 15. After that date, they will decide if they can mobilise their base to vote for Harris. Without policy change, they won't endorse her but will continue discussing the "dangers" of a Trump presidency.

Activists' Frustrations

Some anti-war activists advocate withholding votes from Harris if there is no change. "There's pressure to punish the Democratic Party," Elabed said. "Our position is to continue taking up space within the Democratic Party" and push for change from within.

Tensions surfaced at an August rally in Michigan when anti-war protesters interrupted Harris. Initially stating that everyone's voice matters, she later took a sharper tone as demonstrators chanted they "won't vote for genocide." She responded, "If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that."

Nada Al-Hanooti from Emgage Action rejects arguments that withholding votes from Harris helps Trump. She believes the burden should be on Harris and her party. "Right now, it's a struggle being a Palestinian American," she said. "I don't want a Trump presidency, but at the same time, the Democratic Party needs to win our vote."

Though disappointed by no Palestinian speaker at the DNC stage, Al-Hanooti felt inspired by how "uncommitted" activists included Palestinians in discussions at the convention. Activists held a forum discussing Palestinians' plight in Gaza.

"We still need to push Harris on conditioning aid and a cease-fire," she said. She channels her pain into pressuring elected officials and encouraging community members to vote despite increased apathy.

Community Efforts

In 2020, Emgage worked to maximise Muslim American turnout in battleground states. Muslims make up a small percentage of Americans overall but could impact close races in states with notable Muslim populations like Michigan.

Omar Abuattieh from Rutgers University argues that their community has given votes away cheaply. He plans to vote third party to demonstrate their power as an activated community deserving future consultation.

A Pew Research Centre survey found US Muslims more sympathetic to Palestinians than many other Americans are; only 6% believe the US strikes the right balance between Israelis and Palestinians. Nearly two-thirds of Muslim registered voters identify with or lean toward Democrats.

US Muslims are diverse in political behaviour; some publicly support Harris this election cycle. In 2020 among Muslim voters: 64% supported Biden; 35% supported Trump.

The Harris campaign appointed two people for Muslim and Arab outreach without specifically commenting on meeting requests from uncommitted movements before September 15. They stated Harris will continue meeting leaders from Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish communities throughout her vice presidency.

Harris faces scrutiny from those saying Biden-Harris hasn't pressured Israel enough to end the war and Republicans branding her as insufficiently supportive of Israel.

Karoline Leavitt from Trump's campaign said he would deliver peace through strength again to create long-term safety for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Many Arab and Muslim Americans were angered by Trump's ban affecting travellers from several Muslim-majority countries which Biden rescinded.

In Michigan Ali Ramlawi initially felt relief on domestic issues with Harris's nomination but was disappointed by DNC's stance on Palestine. He now considers backing Green Party or leaving top of ticket blank saying: "Our vote shouldn't be taken for granted."