Publish: 12:02, 22 Oct, 2024

Mideast conflict affects U.S. presidential race as Harris and Trump compete

Online Desk
Mideast conflict affects U.S. presidential race as Harris and Trump compete
Photo - Collected

As election day approaches in two weeks, the crisis in the Middle East is casting a shadow over the presidential race. One candidate is struggling to express a suitable response to the complex situation, while the other confidently asserts that the long-standing conflict can be quickly resolved.

Vice President Kamala Harris has been making a concerted effort that is not always successfully to balance her robust support for Israel with strong criticisms of the civilian casualties impacting Palestinians and others caught up in Israel's conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, reports AP.

Former President Donald Trump, for his part, insists that none of this would have happened on his watch and that he can make it all go away if elected.

Both of them are bidding for the votes of Arab and Muslim American voters and Jewish voters, particularly in extremely tight races in the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Harris over the weekend alternately drew praise and criticism over her comments about a pro-Palestinian protester that were captured on a widely shared video. Some took Harris' remark that the protester's concerns were “real” to be an expression of agreement with his description of Israel’s conduct as “genocide.” That drew sharp condemnation from Israel’s former ambassador to the U.S., Michael Oren.

But Harris' campaign said that while the vice president was agreeing more generally about the plight of civilians in Gaza, she was not and would not accuse Israel of genocide.

A day earlier, the dynamics were reversed when Harris told reporters that the “first and most tragic story” of the conflict was the Oct. 7 Hamas attack last year that killed about 1,200 Israelis. That was triggering to those who feel she is not giving proper weight to the deaths of the more than 41,000 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza.

Trump, meanwhile, in recent days has participated in interviews with Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya and Lebanese outlet MTV, where he promised to bring about peace and said “things will turn out very well” in Lebanon.

In a post on his social media platform Monday, he predicted a Harris presidency would only make matters in the Mideast worse.

“If Kamala gets four more years, the Middle East will spend the next four decades going up in flames, and your kids will be going off to War, maybe even a Third World War, something that will never happen with President Donald J. Trump in charge,” Trump posted. “For our Country’s sake, and for your kids, Vote Trump for PEACE!”

Harris' position is particularly awkward because as vice president she is tethered to President Joe Biden’s foreign policy decisions even as she’s tried to strike a more empathetic tone to all parties. But Harris aides and allies also are frustrated with what they see as Trump largely getting a pass on some of his unpredictable foreign policy statements.

“It’s the very thoughtful, very careful school versus the showboat,” said James Zogby, founder and president of the Arab American Institute, who has endorsed Harris. “That does become a handicap in these late stages when he’s making all these overtures. When the bill comes due they’re going to walk away empty-handed, but by then it’ll be too late.”

The political divisions on the campaign trail augur potentially significant implications after Election Day as powers in the region, particularly Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, closely eye the outcome and the potential for any shifts to U.S. foreign policy.

A new AP-NORC poll finds that neither Trump nor Harris has a clear political advantage on the situation in the Middle East. About 4 in 10 registered voters say Trump would do a better job, and a similar share says that about Harris. Roughly 2 in 10 say neither candidate would do a better job.

There are some signs of weakness on the issue for Harris within her own party, however. Only about two-thirds of Democratic voters say Harris would be the better candidate to handle the situation in the Middle East. Among Republicans, about 8 in 10 say Trump would be better.

In Michigan, which has the nation’s largest concentration of Arab Americans, the Israel-Hamas war has profound and personal impacts on the community. In addition to many community members having family in both Lebanon and Gaza, Kamel Ahmad Jawad, a metro Detroit resident, was killed while trying to deliver aid to his hometown in southern Lebanon.

The war’s direct impact on the community has fueled outrage and calls for the U.S. to demand an unconditional cease-fire and impose a weapons embargo on Israel.

Although both parties have largely supported Israel, much of the outrage and blame has been directed at Biden. When Harris entered the race, many Arab American leaders initially felt a renewed sense of optimism, citing her past comments and the early outreach efforts of her campaign.

However, that optimism quickly faded as the community perceived that she had not sufficiently distanced her policies from those of Biden.

“To say to Arab Americans, ‘Trump is going to be worse’ — what is worse than having members of your family killed?” said Rima Meroueh, director of the National Network for Arab American Communities. “That’s what people are saying when they’re asked the question, ‘Isn’t Trump going to be worse?’ It can’t be worse than what’s happening to us right now.”

Future Coalition PAC, a super PAC backed by billionaire Elon Musk, is running ads in Arab American communities in Michigan focused on Harris’ support for Israel, complete with a photo of her and her husband, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish. The same group is sending the opposite message to Jewish voters in Pennsylvania, attacking her support for the withholding of some weapons from Israel — a Biden administration move to pressure the longtime U.S. ally to limit civilian casualties.

Harris spokesperson Morgan Finkelstein cast Trump's approach toward the Middle East as part of a broader sign that "an unchecked, unhinged Trump is simply too dangerous — he would bring us right back to the chaotic, go-it-alone approach that made the world less safe and he would weaken America.”

Bd-pratidin English/Afia

More News
Harris vows end to Gaza war, Trump’s tone darkens in final hours of campaign
Harris vows end to Gaza war, Trump’s tone darkens in final hours of campaign
10 killed in Indonesia as Volcanic eruption burns houses
10 killed in Indonesia as Volcanic eruption burns houses
US election: Harris, Trump in Pennsylvania for final push
US election: Harris, Trump in Pennsylvania for final push
US warships ‘under close watch’: Iran's Navy chief
US warships ‘under close watch’: Iran's Navy chief
Israel claims of killing Hezbollah commander in Lebanon
Israel claims of killing Hezbollah commander in Lebanon
Motives behind American celebrities to support presidential candidates
Motives behind American celebrities to support presidential candidates
36 killed as bus falls in gorge in Uttarakhand
36 killed as bus falls in gorge in Uttarakhand
US president election: Voting systems conspiracies are true?
US president election: Voting systems conspiracies are true?
‘Assad not ready for normalization with Türkiye’
‘Assad not ready for normalization with Türkiye’
France conducts trial for beheading of a teacher who displayed cartoons of the Prophet to his students
France conducts trial for beheading of a teacher who displayed cartoons of the Prophet to his students
Crowd hurls mud and insults at Spain royals
Crowd hurls mud and insults at Spain royals
Jharkhand CM criticizes Modi for giving shelter to Hasina
Jharkhand CM criticizes Modi for giving shelter to Hasina
Latest News
Harris vows end to Gaza war, Trump’s tone darkens in final hours of campaign
Harris vows end to Gaza war, Trump’s tone darkens in final hours of campaign

16 minutes ago | International

10 killed in Indonesia as Volcanic eruption burns houses
10 killed in Indonesia as Volcanic eruption burns houses

28 minutes ago | International

10 roads in Dhaka to go horn-free in Jan
10 roads in Dhaka to go horn-free in Jan

45 minutes ago | National

Dengue: 6 more dies in 24hrs
Dengue: 6 more dies in 24hrs

1 hour ago | National

Bashundhara Group distributes Quran Sharif in Bancharampur
Bashundhara Group distributes Quran Sharif in Bancharampur

1 hour ago | National

Bangladesh supports Palestine's independence, sovereignty: Home Adviser
Bangladesh supports Palestine's independence, sovereignty: Home Adviser

1 hour ago | National

Bangladesh reaffirms ‘zero tolerance’ stance on terrorism, commits to global security
Bangladesh reaffirms ‘zero tolerance’ stance on terrorism, commits to global security

1 hour ago | National

Prada and Axiom Space unveil spacesuit designs for NASA’s Artemis III moon mission
Prada and Axiom Space unveil spacesuit designs for NASA’s Artemis III moon mission

2 hours ago | Tech

Ex-state minister Shahiduzzaman sent to jail
Ex-state minister Shahiduzzaman sent to jail

3 hours ago | National

Aminul announced as convener, Mostafa member secretary in BNP Dhaka North convener committee
Aminul announced as convener, Mostafa member secretary in BNP Dhaka North convener committee

3 hours ago | City

CA phones Sohel Taj, assures him of presenting true history
CA phones Sohel Taj, assures him of presenting true history

3 hours ago | National

US election: Harris, Trump in Pennsylvania for final push
US election: Harris, Trump in Pennsylvania for final push

3 hours ago | International

BNP seeks public role in political decisions
BNP seeks public role in political decisions

3 hours ago | National

US warships ‘under close watch’: Iran's Navy chief
US warships ‘under close watch’: Iran's Navy chief

3 hours ago | International

BTRC working to reduce internet cost: Chairman
BTRC working to reduce internet cost: Chairman

4 hours ago | National

Steps being taken to ensure voting rights of expats: Commission Chief to Chief Adviser
Steps being taken to ensure voting rights of expats: Commission Chief to Chief Adviser

4 hours ago | National

58 more cadet SIs relieved ‘for violating discipline’
58 more cadet SIs relieved ‘for violating discipline’

4 hours ago | National

Top 10 Netflix English originals to binge-watch in December 2024
Top 10 Netflix English originals to binge-watch in December 2024

4 hours ago | Showbiz

Traffic for London to support DNCC for improving traffic management
Traffic for London to support DNCC for improving traffic management

5 hours ago | City

2 workers killed in Patuakhali wall collapse
2 workers killed in Patuakhali wall collapse

5 hours ago | City

China registered lowest marriages this year
China registered lowest marriages this year

5 hours ago | Lifestyle

Bashundhara Shuvosangho holds dengue awareness seminar in Ghoraghat
Bashundhara Shuvosangho holds dengue awareness seminar in Ghoraghat

5 hours ago | Shuvosangho

Israel claims of killing Hezbollah commander in Lebanon
Israel claims of killing Hezbollah commander in Lebanon

5 hours ago | International

Motives behind American celebrities to support presidential candidates
Motives behind American celebrities to support presidential candidates

5 hours ago | International

36 killed as bus falls in gorge in Uttarakhand
36 killed as bus falls in gorge in Uttarakhand

5 hours ago | International

Disney forms business unit for AI, mixed reality
Disney forms business unit for AI, mixed reality

5 hours ago | Tech

Nazmul's Team Aims to Make History in Familiar Sharjah
Nazmul's Team Aims to Make History in Familiar Sharjah

5 hours ago | Sports

US president election: Voting systems conspiracies are true?
US president election: Voting systems conspiracies are true?

6 hours ago | International

DU admission process begins
DU admission process begins

6 hours ago | City

DSE sees upward trend in early trading
DSE sees upward trend in early trading

6 hours ago | Economy

Most Read
Govt renames 12 hospitals named after Sheikh family members
Govt renames 12 hospitals named after Sheikh family members

22 hours ago | National

Adviser Hassan Ariff calls for expert involvement in mosquito control
Adviser Hassan Ariff calls for expert involvement in mosquito control

21 hours ago | City

Causes of declining mobile data and voice calls
Causes of declining mobile data and voice calls

10 hours ago | Special

Bishwa Ijtema: Home Ministry to meet with two factions of Tabligh Jamaat today
Bishwa Ijtema: Home Ministry to meet with two factions of Tabligh Jamaat today

9 hours ago | City

BMD forecasts light rain, fog in parts of country
BMD forecasts light rain, fog in parts of country

8 hours ago | National

France conducts trial for beheading of a teacher who displayed cartoons of the Prophet to his students
France conducts trial for beheading of a teacher who displayed cartoons of the Prophet to his students

6 hours ago | International

Biswa Ijtema: Date fixed for two phases
Biswa Ijtema: Date fixed for two phases

6 hours ago | City

Govt will implement constitutional reforms: Mahfuj
Govt will implement constitutional reforms: Mahfuj

22 hours ago | National

Who is ahead – Kamala or Trump?
Who is ahead – Kamala or Trump?

11 hours ago | International

No one should think about minus 2 formula again, warns Fakhrul
No one should think about minus 2 formula again, warns Fakhrul

22 hours ago | National

Govt condemns any violence, wants no violence, says  Press Secretary on Shilpakala incident
Govt condemns any violence, wants no violence, says Press Secretary on Shilpakala incident

23 hours ago | National

Apple to bring ChatGPT, intelligence features to iOS 18.2
Apple to bring ChatGPT, intelligence features to iOS 18.2

7 hours ago | Tech

'Acting in drama to fulfill mother's wish'
'Acting in drama to fulfill mother's wish'

11 hours ago | Showbiz

BNP Faces Obstacles in Case Dispositions
BNP Faces Obstacles in Case Dispositions

10 hours ago | Special

58 more cadet SIs relieved ‘for violating discipline’
58 more cadet SIs relieved ‘for violating discipline’

4 hours ago | National

Efforts underway to bring back laundered money: CA’s Press Secretary
Efforts underway to bring back laundered money: CA’s Press Secretary

23 hours ago | National

Drug abuse becoming harder to prevent
Drug abuse becoming harder to prevent

8 hours ago | Special

Zia charitable case: Khaleda Zia allowed to prepare paper book
Zia charitable case: Khaleda Zia allowed to prepare paper book

23 hours ago | National

Likely voters nationwide tilt toward Kamala Harris
Likely voters nationwide tilt toward Kamala Harris

22 hours ago | International

Sunil Gavaskar issues strong statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Sunil Gavaskar issues strong statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

7 hours ago | Sports

Lightning strike kills 13 children at Uganda refugee camp
Lightning strike kills 13 children at Uganda refugee camp

23 hours ago | International

Setting the tone: Prof Yunus pens 2 lines for BPL anthem
Setting the tone: Prof Yunus pens 2 lines for BPL anthem

9 hours ago | Sports

10.95 million BDT found at former Additional Secretary's residence
10.95 million BDT found at former Additional Secretary's residence

7 hours ago | National

Taposh of Gaan Bangla arrested from Uttara
Taposh of Gaan Bangla arrested from Uttara

6 hours ago | City

The warriors still living in exile
The warriors still living in exile

8 hours ago | National

Researchers urge to eliminate discrimination in the sector
Researchers urge to eliminate discrimination in the sector

7 hours ago | City

Stree 2 released in Bangladesh
Stree 2 released in Bangladesh

11 hours ago | Showbiz

BFF to seek help from govt for women’s football
BFF to seek help from govt for women’s football

10 hours ago | Sports

Shah Rukh Khan quits smoking, still feels ‘breathless’
Shah Rukh Khan quits smoking, still feels ‘breathless’

8 hours ago | Showbiz

Chinese space station crew returns after six months in orbit
Chinese space station crew returns after six months in orbit

10 hours ago | Tech