How did the Genocide in Gaza change Muslim voters in America?
In one year of genocide in Gaza, a lot of developments in Muslims' perceptions of their role In American politics and their own daily life choices, starting from their soft drinks to the candidate for the top office in the country.
What happened in Gaza for one year on live stream has significantly influenced Muslim voter behavior in the 2024 elections, leading to increased disillusionment with the Democratic Party, particularly among those who previously supported President Biden. A recent poll indicates that a substantial majority of Muslim voters view a permanent cease-fire in Gaza as a crucial factor in their voting decisions, with many stating it would enhance their likelihood of supporting any candidate who advocates for it, regardless of party affiliation.
The genocide in Gaza has motivated political mobilization within the Muslim community, with activists emphasizing the need to hold politicians accountable for their foreign policy decisions. As the election approaches, candidates are trying to address these concerns to regain the trust and support of Muslim voters, who are increasingly seen as a pivotal demographic in crucial swing states.
Gaza is the priority in swinging states for Muslim voters.
The war in Gaza is the most widespread Muslim priority regardless of partisanship, age, or ethnicity; the majority (61%) of all Muslims across the three states, Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, say that the war in Gaza is one of the top three most important priorities on which they will judge a candidate. The second most widespread Muslim priority is to keep the US out of foreign wars (22%), according to a report prepared by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding titled (Winning Muslim Votes: A Policy Priority Analysis in Swing States).
This discontent has spurred movements like "Abandon Biden," later turned to “Abandon Harris, “urging Muslim Americans to reconsider their support for the incumbent candidates due to the democratic administration's stance on Israel. Many voters are now gravitating towards third-party candidates who take more vital positions on the Gaza issue, reflecting a growing sentiment that traditional party loyalties are secondary to humanitarian concerns.
Muslim 2024 Election Task Force recommends voting for Gaza.
The American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force, which consists of a group of Muslim organizations in the US, has decided to encourage American Muslims to vote for any presidential candidate of their choosing who supports a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a U.S. arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as candidates Dr. Jill Stein, Dr. Cornel West or Chase Oliver.
The task force encouraged Muslim Americans to participate actively in the coming election even if they disagreed with its recommendations about voting choice. It urged American Muslims to project their political force and take their concerns seriously.
Kamala Harris did not get the trust of task force organizations despite the results of the first national presidential poll of American Muslim voter preferences since Vice President Kamala Harris replaced President Biden on the Democratic ticket in August, despite the initial optimistic views about Harris shown by CAIR’s August 25-27 survey which revealed that 29.4% of American Muslims plan to vote for Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party, virtually tied with Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party, who followed closely with 29.1%. In comparison, Donald Trump of the Republican Party garnered 11.2% of the vote, and Dr. Cornel West of the People’s Party received 4.2%. Chase Oliver of the Libertarian Party has less than 1% support, with 16.5% of respondents remaining undecided.
Muslim scholars call for Spurn Kamala Harris.
Muslim scholars have contributed to spreading awareness during the last year about the importance of political activism and responsible voting during the coming election.
A group of leading Muslim American scholars and imams have signed a letter calling on Muslim voters to spurn Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming election over US support for Israel's war on Gaza.
"We may not know what the future holds, but we know this: we will not taint our hands by voting for or supporting an administration that has brought so much bloodshed upon our brothers and sisters," said the letter
On the other hand, Emgage Action endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, saying former President Donald Trump posed a greater danger to the community with his promise to reinstate a travel ban affecting majority-Muslim countries; Harris already won the endorsement of smaller Muslim groups, including the Black Muslim Leadership Council Fund and the American Muslim Democratic Caucus.