Trump and Harris make last-minute pitches to Jews and Arabs – The Forward

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

By means of Jacob Kornbluh
October 31, 2024

The presidential campaigns are making all-out efforts to win over Jewish and Arab-American voters — a difficult proposition given that constituencies, both traditionally favorite Democratstend to take differing positions on the war between Israel and Hamas.

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

The candidates and their surrogates are telling Jews that they believe Israel’s security is non-negotiable and that they will prioritize the release of hostages still in Gaza. And they pledge to Muslim and Arab-American voters to work toward a swift end to the war that has devastated Gaza and the conflict that has killed and displaced thousands of people in Lebanon.

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

The former president, who did despised Muslims and tried issue a ban on immigration from Muslim-majority countries, but nevertheless hopes to convince Arab Americans disappointed with the Biden administration’s inability to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza.

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

Trump contacted Lebanese Americans

Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday: “I want the Middle East to return to real peace, a lasting peace, and we will get it done the right way so it doesn’t repeat itself every 5 or 10 years! I will maintain the equal partnership between all Lebanese communities. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity and harmony with their neighbors, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East. I look forward to working with the Lebanese community living in the United States of America to ensure the safety and security of the great people of Lebanon. Vote Trump for peace!”

Former President Bill Clinton addressed Arab-American voters

Speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan on Wednesday, Clinton said: “When I read that people in Michigan are thinking about not voting because they are angry at the Biden administration for fulfilling its historic obligation to prevent the destruction of Israel, I think that is a mistake because Donald Trump has shown what he wants. We cannot murder our way out of conflict, but we must fight our way to safety. Kamala Harris has said she will 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 JD Vance addresses Arab Americans and Jews

Vance said on the October 10 meeting in Detroit: “I think most Jewish Americans and Arab Americans recognize that peace is best for Israel and Palestine, and that Donald J. Trump is the president of peace. Kamala Harris seems to have no problem starting or escalating conflicts on every continent around the world. Donald Trump believes peace through strength: stop the killing, get Americans out of trouble and focus on building a peaceful mood. This is how you help Palestinians. This is how you help Israelis. But most importantly, it’s about how you help American citizens.”

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

On one Zoom call Hosted Wednesday by the Jewish Democratic Council of America, Brous, the leader of the Los Angeles Jewish community Ikarsaid: “I invite you to look at your political left, those who in previous elections probably would never have thought about not voting for whoever was the Democratic candidate at the top of the ticket, but now, frankly, are focusing on the list are on the fence because they do not fit with the way the government has handled the war in Gaza. I ask you to turn to those on your left and remind them that the only way there will be a just, dignified and peaceful future for both Israelis and Palestinians is if there is a strong, responsible American administration.”

“And I’m going to invite you to look to your right, to those who say they just feel like they just don’t trust that the vice president will support Israel when push comes to shove. I am going to ask you to remind them that Vice President Harris has continued to support Israel, consistently called for the return of the hostages and consistently fought for Israel’s democracy.”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis promises that Harris will put pressure on Hamas

Polis, who is Jewish, also attended the JDCA Zoom call on Wednesday. He said: “Kamala Harris will ensure that we continue to pressure Hamas by any means necessary to free the hostages while they are still alive. We know that Donald Trump stands firm with the dictators of the world. He sides with those who flatter him, rather than those who are oppressed. And we must ensure that we have the moral guidance of leadership that Kamala Harris will provide to ensure that we apply maximum pressure – yes, on Hamas, but also on Iran and other forces of chaos and attack in the Middle East – to ensure that we can protect the Jewish state of Israel, and work towards autonomy for the Palestinian people, who can finally be freed from the Hamas dictatorship in the Gaza Strip.”