Kamala Harris, the first female, African American, and Asian American vice president of the United States, has received a significant endorsement from Emgage Action, a prominent Muslim American voter mobilization group. This development comes amidst ongoing tensions between Arab American and Muslim organizations and Democratic leaders over the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Emgage Action, operating in eight states including crucial battlegrounds Michigan and Pennsylvania, announced its support for Harris' presidential campaign on April 24, 2024. The organization, which has been advocating for Muslim American interests for 18 years, made this decision after careful consideration of the complex political landscape.
Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, stated, "This endorsement is not agreement with Vice President Harris on all issues, but rather, an honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they confront at the ballot box." He emphasized that while they disagree with some of Harris' policies, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict, the decision was made with both pragmatism and conviction.
The endorsement comes at a critical time, as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to escalate. The conflict, which has roots dating back to the establishment of Israel in 1948, saw a significant escalation on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Since then, the Gaza Strip, under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007, has faced severe humanitarian challenges.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, but the United States has vetoed several UN Security Council resolutions on the matter. This stance has contributed to the tension between the Biden administration and Muslim and Arab American communities.
Emgage Action's decision to endorse Harris is partly motivated by the desire to prevent the return of policies seen as Islamophobic under a potential Trump administration. The organization cited the so-called "Muslim ban," referring to Executive Order 13769 signed by Donald Trump in 2017, as a key concern.
"This endorsement comes at a time when there is great pain and loss in the Muslim and Arab American communities."
Rodriguez added that Harris will continue working to bring the war in Gaza to an end, ensuring Israel's security, the release of all hostages, and addressing the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
The endorsement highlights the complex political calculations facing Muslim and Arab American voters. With an estimated 3.7 million Arab Americans and 3.45 million Muslim Americans in the United States, these communities play a significant role in key swing states.
The ongoing conflict has also impacted Lebanon, with recent Israeli strikes killing at least 560 people, making it the deadliest bombardment since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War. Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shiite Muslim political party and militant group, has been engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israel.
As the presidential campaign progresses, the handling of Middle East issues will likely remain a crucial factor for many voters. The United States has been involved in Middle East peace negotiations for decades, including the Camp David Accords of 1978 and the Oslo Accords of 1993 and 1995, which were meant to lead to a two-state solution but have not been fully implemented.
Emgage Action's endorsement of Kamala Harris represents a pragmatic approach to a complex political landscape, balancing disagreements on foreign policy with concerns about domestic issues and the potential return of policies perceived as harmful to Muslim Americans.