Trump and Harris make breaking speeches to Jews, Arabs – The Forward

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on October 30, 2024. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Image / Scott Olson/Getty Images

With Jacob Kornbluh
31 October 2024

Presidential campaigns are a last-ditch effort to win over Jewish and Arab voters; a difficult proposition since both have traditionally held constituencies. preferred DemocratsThey tend to have different views on the Israel-Hamas war.

But former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, who are in a tight race, see opportunities to convince those voters that they offer a fair approach to conflicts in the Middle East and the best chance for peace.

The candidates and their surrogates tell Jews that they consider Israel’s security non-negotiable and that they will prioritize the release of hostages still in Gaza. And they promise Muslim and Arab voters they will work to bring a swift end to the war that has devastated Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon that has killed and displaced thousands.

More than 700,000 voters in the Democratic primary — including 13% of those in Michigan — cast “neutral” ballots to protest President Joe Biden’s staunch support for Israel. Harris, who has expressed stronger sympathy for Palestinians in Gaza, hopes many of the undecided will find her a more palatable choice than Biden. Some said they would not vote for him, but would vote for a third-party candidate or Trump, or leave the top row of the ballot blank.

former president humiliated Muslims and i tried enact a ban As for immigration from Muslim-majority countries, he hopes to sway Arab Americans who are disappointed by the Biden administration’s failure to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.

Here’s a sampling of what candidates and their surrogates have been telling Jewish and Arab voters in recent days. Descriptions have been edited for length and clarity,

Trump reaches out to Lebanese Americans

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday: I want to see the Middle East return to true peace, lasting peace, and we will do it properly so it doesn’t happen again every 5 or 10 years! I will protect equal partnership between all Lebanese communities. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity and harmony with their neighbors, and this can only be achieved with peace and stability in the Middle East. I look forward to working with the Lebanese community living in the United States to ensure the safety and security of the greater Lebanon people. Vote Trump for peace!

Former President Bill Clinton addresses Arab American voters

Clinton spoke at a campaign rally in Michigan on Wednesday: When I read that people in Michigan are considering not voting for the Biden administration because they are angry that it has fulfilled its historic obligation to prevent the destruction of Israel, I think that’s a mistake. because Donald Trump has shown what he wants. We cannot kill our way out of conflict, but we have to fight our way to safety. Kamala Harris said she would try to negotiate an end to the violence, an end to the killings and a new peace process, and that should be enough.

Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance calls out Arabs and Jews

Vance said: October 10 rally In Detroit: I think most American Jews and Arab Americans realize that peace is in the interest of Israel and Palestine, and that Donald J. Trump is the president of peace. Kamala Harris seems to be perfectly fine initiating or escalating conflicts on every continent around the world. Donald Trump believes peace is through strength: Stop the murder, get Americans out of harm’s way, and focus on creating a peaceful vote. This is how you help the Palestinians. This is how you help the Israelis. But what matters most is how you help American citizens.

Rabbi Sharon Brous asks Jewish voters will talk to their friends on the left and right

One Zoom in search Brous, leader of the Los Angeles Jewish community, at an event held Wednesday by the Jewish Democratic Council of America. denialHe said: I invite you to look at your political left; In previous elections they probably would never have considered not voting for the person at the top of the Democratic ticket, but now they frankly find themselves in the middle of the election. Because they do not comply with the administration’s handling of the war in Gaza. I ask you to turn to the people on your left and remind them that a strong, responsible U.S. administration is the only way to create a just, dignified, and peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

And I would invite you to look to your right, at those who say they have a gut feeling, but they don’t trust the vice president to stand with Israel when the going gets tough. I will ask you to remind them that Vice President Harris continues to support Israel, consistently calls for the return of hostages, and consistently fights for Israeli democracy.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis vows Harris will pressure Hamas

Polis, who is Jewish, also participated in Wednesday’s JDCA zoom call. He said: Kamala Harris will ensure that we continue to pressure Hamas with whatever pressure possible to release the hostages while they are alive. We know that Donald Trump is playing tricks with world dictators. He takes the side of those who compliment him, not the oppressed. And we need to make sure that we have the moral leadership guidance that Kamala Harris will provide to make sure that we apply maximum pressure — yes, on Hamas, but also on Iran and other forces of chaos and aggression in the Middle East. That we can preserve the Jewish state of Israel and work for the autonomy of the Palestinian people who can finally be free from the Hamas dictatorship in the Gaza Strip.