Emgage Action, one of the largest Muslim political groups in the nation, endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris despite concerns about her Middle East policy. The group believes that stopping former President Donald Trump is the top priority, as his presidency poses a significant threat. Many Muslim and Arab voters are disillusioned with the Democratic Party, particularly due to President Joe Biden’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Last week, another coalition of Muslim-American groups urged voters to support third-party candidates who advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel. In response, Trump’s campaign has been targeting Arab American voters in key battleground states. Emgage acknowledges the difficulty of endorsing Harris, given the opposition to her policy positions within the community.
By endorsing Harris, Emgage hopes to have a seat at the table in a potential Harris administration to advocate for a more favorable direction on Middle East policy. Harris’ campaign manager emphasized the Vice President’s commitment to working with Muslim leaders and working towards a resolution to the conflict in Gaza.
Emgage’s CEO, Wa’el Alzayat, believes that supporting Harris is the best way to advance the anti-war agenda, as Trump’s presidency poses a more dire threat. He pointed to Trump’s past actions, including the Muslim ban, as evidence of the risks for American Muslims under a Trump administration. Emgage is banking on the hope that Harris will diverge from Biden’s policies if elected, given her more moderate stance on the issue.
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