LITTLE ENTHUSIASM FOR HARRIS OR TRUMP
However, those in the Dearborn community told CNA they are not excited by either option – Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, or former president Donald Trump, who is her Republican rival.
The Republican Party’s official platform has scant details on the stance on the Israel-Hamas war, other than saying “We will stand with Israel, and seek peace in the Middle East”.
Harris has called for a ceasefire and endorsed a two-state solution, as well as has called out the “humanitarian crisis” – a similar position to Biden.
Before Biden dropped out of the presidential race in July, 100,000 Michigan residents protested his Gaza policy by voting “uncommitted” instead of for him during the Democratic primary polls.
“I don’t know if it was false, imagined hope we may have created, but she has said some things like, ‘We got to help, we got to stop this, we need a ceasefire now’, but it’s not different to what her boss (Biden) has said and what he has been saying,” Ayoub pointed out.
Political activist Linda Sarsour also said those like her are “not very enthusiastic” about Harris replacing Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket.
“(This is) especially since there have been many moments offered to Kamala Harris to explain what her policy change is, or show she will differ on policy from Biden – and she has not taken that opportunity,” she added.
As for Trump, Sarsour said he was “horrific” on a range of issues, but that not everyone sees it that way.
She also said she was outraged that the US is still supplying Israel with weapons, as it wages war with Hamas.
Israel denies the charge of genocide, saying its war campaign is one of self-defence following the Hamas attack on its people on Oct 7 last year.
