The presidential elections in the US are on the horizon. There is debate, meanwhile, on which voting bloc will determine the course of the presidential race.
Domestic issues tend to motivate most US voters. Nevertheless, the war in Gaza may be the dominant factor for an increasingly important voting bloc, namely Arab and Muslim Americans.
This section of the American electorate has been watching the horrors befalling the Palestinians of Gaza since Israel started its bombardment of their coastal enclave almost nine months ago.
There was complete inaction from the administration of US President Joe Biden as Israel inflicted those horrors on Gaza and its people.
This may have negative consequences for Biden’s re-election prospects.
The presidential elections have been receiving increasing interest from Arabs and Muslims in the US, especially given US foreign policies in the Middle East.
Biden finds himself in trouble because of his stance towards the current war in Gaza.
Some people consider the US president a staunch supporter of Israel and others strongly criticise him for failing to take decisive steps to stop the war and protect Palestinian civilians.
Muslims and Arabs constitute an essential part of the American society. They have a noticeable influence in the American political arena, especially in populous states, such as Michigan and Florida.
In Michigan, there are 310,000 Arabs and Muslims, making them an important electoral bloc for people seeking office, including the presidential office.
This state played a prominent role in previous presidential elections. It boosted Biden’s victory in 2020, having ensured Donald Trump’s victory in 2016.
Most Michigan’s Arabs and Muslims believe Biden was not decisive enough in backing international efforts to stop the horrendous violence in Gaza. This may negatively affect their support of the octogenarian candidate in the elections.
The same people also believe Biden’s previous commitment to human rights and social justice will be threatened by his inaction on Gaza.
Biden may face difficulties in mustering the necessary support from Arabs and Muslims in the US, due to their opposition of his stance towards the war in this Palestinian territory.
Still some voters will only be swayed by domestic issues and economic files, which directly affect their daily life.
However, this does not rule out the fact that the American president’s reaction to external and internal challenges is at the core of the world’s response to him, with everyone waiting to see how this reaction will affect the electoral choices of Arabs and Muslims inside and outside Michigan.
The influence of Arabs and Muslims on Biden’s re-election prospects needs follow-up and analysis. If he gains their support, this could have a significant impact on the course of the elections and their final results next November.
The political influence of Arabs and Muslims is not just a statistical issue. It is rather a complex matter that depends on voters’ preferences. It also underscores the role ethnic and religious minorities play in enhancing political and societal diversity in the US.
Mohamed Fahmy is the editor-in-chief
of The Egyptian Gazette and
Egyptian Mail newspapers
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