In a dramatic turn of events just weeks before the November 5 election, former President Donald Trump has edged out Vice President Kamala Harris among Arab American voters, according to a recent Arab News/YouGov poll. With Trump commanding 45% support compared to Harris’s 43%, the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has become a pivotal issue swaying this crucial demographic.
As concerns mount over the Biden administration’s stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, 29% of Arab Americans identify the conflict as their top priority, overshadowing economic concerns and issues of racism. Trump is viewed as more likely to address the Israel-Palestine situation effectively, leading Harris 39% to 33% on that front.
The findings serve as a warning to Democrats, particularly in Michigan—home to the largest Arab American population—where Biden’s 2020 victory margin was razor-thin at just 150,000 votes. Trump’s direct appeals to Arab American and Muslim voters, coupled with his bold claim that “if Kamala gets four more years, the Middle East will spend the next four decades going up in flames,” highlight the stakes as both candidates vie for crucial support in a tightly contested race.
With the election looming, the shifting sentiments of Arab American voters could play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
