US polls: Amid Trump's support for Israel, has Kamala Harris taken a stand for pro-Palestinian voters with 'We must act'?

US Election 2024: Pro-Palestine voters, including Arab Americans in the US, are navigating a challenging environment in the US presidential election. Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris is facing skepticism from some segments of pro-Palestinian voters who believe the Biden-Harris administration has done nothing to end the war in Gaza and cut aid to to contribute to Israel.

Also read: 'I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza,' says Kamala Harris, wooing Arab Americans ahead of upcoming US election

As part of this administration, Kamala Harris has advocated policies that sanction arms sales to Israel. This creates a dilemma for pro-Palestinian voters who may view their actions as contradicting their values. While Harris has sought to address issues of equality and justice, her alignment with Joe Biden's policies could anger those seeking a clearer stance on Palestinian rights.

The question remains: Has Harris managed to carve out her identity independent of Biden's approach, or will she be seen as an extension of an administration that many pro-Palestine advocates criticize?

What does Kamala Harris think of the Israeli-Palestinian war?

Democrat Kamala Harris held her final roll call for the US presidency at a historically black church. She addressed Arab Americans in battleground Michigan on Sunday, while her Republican opponent Donald Trump resorted to violent rhetoric during a rally in Pennsylvania.

Opinion polls suggest a close race, with Vice President Harris, 60, drawing strong support from female voters while former President Trump, 78, is gaining among Hispanic men. Reuters reported.

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On July 31, Harris strongly rejected the idea of ​​imposing an arms embargo on Israel as it continues its ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip.

“I am unequivocally and unwaveringly committed to the defense of Israel and its ability to defend itself, and that will not change,” Harris said in her first interview since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.

“I assert today that Israel has the right to defend itself. We would do the same, and how it carries out that defense is important.” Asked if she would support changes to U.S. policy on military aid, Harris replied flatly: “No.”

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On August 8, Vice President Harris's national security adviser, Phil Gordon, said on X that Harris does not support an arms embargo against Israel. “Vice President has made clear: She will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. She does not support an arms embargo against Israel. “It will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and uphold international humanitarian law,” Gordon added.

In the presidential debate on September 10, Harris said: “I will always give Israel the opportunity to defend itself, especially with regard to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel.” At that time there was a relatively normal pro-Israel voting record in the Senate.

As the University of Florida's Election Lab reports, more than 77 million Americans have already cast their votes before Election Day on Tuesday. This is almost half of the 160 million votes cast in 2020, which saw the highest voter turnout in over a century.

Control of Congress will be at stake on Tuesday as Republicans are expected to win a majority in the Senate while Democrats are seen as having a realistic chance of overcoming the slim Republican majority in the House. Over the past decade, presidents whose parties do not control both chambers have faced significant challenges in passing major legislation.

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Later, Harris addressed the state's 200,000 Arab Americans at a rally in East Lansing, Michigan, beginning her speech with a reference to the civilian casualties of Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“This year has been difficult, given the level of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon, it is devastating.” And as President, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza,” Harris said to applause.

Also read: 'I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza,' says Kamala Harris, wooing Arab Americans ahead of upcoming US election

Samah Noureddine, 44, a Lebanese American from Grosse Ile, a city near Detroit, said she voted for Biden in 2020 but voted for the Green Party's Jill Stein this year. “I’m upset because Harris is funding genocide and if we get Trump we will suffer too,” she said. “I’m tired of both,” Reuters reported.

How does Trump view the West Asian conflict?

Trump frequently describes himself as “the best friend Israel ever had.” On September 5, he shared a video on his Truth Social account with the caption: “NO PRESIDENT HAS DEFENDED ISRAEL AND JEWISH AMERICANS MORE THAN DONALD J. TRUMP.” He claimed the “most pro-Israel president in U.S. history.” to be someone the Jewish community could rely on.

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Speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas that same day, Trump criticized the Biden-Harris administration for allegedly blaming Israel for the recent deaths, claiming that “the attack on Israel on January 7th… October would never have happened if he had been president.” He expressed this opinion during his presidential debate against Harris on September 10.

What to expect in the Israeli-Palestinian war if Trump is elected?

According to a report from the Middle East Institute, Trump has promised that if elected he would “resolve and accelerate” the conflict in the Middle East, although he has provided few details on how he plans to achieve this. When Trump was asked about Palestinian statehood during the June 2024 presidential debate, he replied, “I'll have to see that.”

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A Washington Post report in September said Trump had previously told Benjamin Netanyahu to “do what you have to do” in a phone call, according to six sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss classified information. Trump has publicly confirmed that he and Netanyahu spoke at least twice in October, with a phone call as recently as October 19.

In July 2024, Trump advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “do what you have to do” and “end the war,” while warning him of the negative impact on Israel's public relations caused by graphic videos of death and destruction are caused by Gaza. This echoed his earlier comments in April in which he declared that Israel was “absolutely losing the PR war.”

(With contributions from agencies)