this post was submitted on 21 Sep 2024

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US: Muslim groups urge voters to back Jill Stein, Cornel West or other pro-Palestine candidates (www.middleeasteye.net)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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"After extensive consultation, discussion, and deliberation, the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force has decided to encourage American Muslims to vote for any presidential candidate of their choosing who supports a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and a US arms embargo on the Israeli government, such as candidates Dr Jill Stein, Dr Cornel West or Chase Oliver," read the statement, obtained by Middle East Eye.

The statement was written by the American Muslim 2024 Election Task Force, an umbrella group formed this year that consists of a number of prominent Muslim organisations including the political arms of Americans for Justice in Palestine (AJP), Cair, and the US Council of Muslim Organizations.

"We cannot endorse Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy because of her refusal to even consider imposing the arms embargo on the Israeli government required by US laws and her failure to promise any other changes whatsoever to President Biden's failed policy of steadfast financial, diplomatic and military support for Israel's genocide in Gaza," the statement read.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I think you can figure this one out if you try.

Seems like you're hinting that they should just accept that genocide is a fact of life for Muslims, instead of pressuring to change it. Easy to say when you aren't the target.

Telling your members to vote third party six weeks before the election is the exact opposite of that.

Stein has been polling ahead of Harris for months with Muslim-American voters, this isn't a new thing. Harris has had the time and information to pivot, and hasn't.

[+] [email protected] -8 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

Seems like you're hinting that they should just accept that genocide is a fact of life for Muslims, instead of pressuring to change it.

Hell no. But this is politics. Taking your ball and going home gets you nothing.

If you have the power to swing Michigan you are the most important voters in the election that don’t live in Pennsylvania. You can leverage that into a deal.

But you are going to have to be clear that you’re asking. “Stop the genocide” isn’t it. She’s not the one killing people. The only person that can actually stop the genocide is Bibi. He’s not on the ballot in November. You have to make an ask and it’s gotta be clear and it’s got to be something that you can realistically get.

Also, the other guys need to be convinced you can hold up your own side of the deal. Can you deliver Michigan? Or are you just posturing?

The way I see it, this statement gets no progress on the first, and actively harms the second. After this statement, an endorsement from them would be worse than useless. If these organizations can’t deliver Michigan, the campaign will just roll the dice with the “moderates”.

This statement is political malpractice.

Easy to say when you aren't the target.

What the actual fuck dude.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

If you have the power to swing Michigan you are the most important voters in the election that don’t live in Pennsylvania. You can leverage that into a deal.

That's what they are doing. Promising unconditional support for Harris despite her pushing for continued genocide has no leverage.

But you are going to have to be clear that you’re asking. “Stop the genocide” isn’t it. She’s not the one killing people. The only person that can actually stop the genocide is Bibi. He’s not on the ballot in November. You have to make an ask and it’s gotta be clear and it’s got to be something that you can realistically get.

Israel is a vassal state that depends on the support of the US. Absolving the US of the deeds of the vassal it provides weapons and munitions for is wrong, the deeds require the support of the US to continue.

What the actual fuck dude.

Talk to Muslim-Americans. They aren't stupid, or lacking in critical thinking. The ones voting Green are doing so because they can't support genocide, and realize that witholding support is the only way to force any kind of hand.

[+] [email protected] -8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

That's what they are doing. Promising unconditional support for Harris despite her pushing for continued genocide has no leverage.

No. They are telling their constituent to vote third party as early voting is getting underway. They are literally setting fire to their political capital while there’s still six weeks to figure out something that both sides can be happy with.

Israel is a vassal state that depends on the support of the US.

I mean, if you truly believe that then I guess the whole system is compromised and you gotta burn it all down. But it’s not something that has actual salience outside conspiratorial circles and the people that amplify them for their own ends.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

No. They are telling their constituent to vote third party as early voting is getting underway. They are literally setting fire to their political capital while there’s still six weeks to figure out something that both sides can be happy with.

They are standing their ground. Harris can reach out at any time she wants and change course.

I mean, if you truly believe that then I guess the whole system is compromised and you gotta burn it all down.

I mean, correct. Do you disagree?

But it’s not something that has actual salience outside conspiratorial circles and the people that amplify them for their own ends.

You sure? It's quite salient among actual Palestinians, if you'd for once listen to them, which cascades to Muslim-American voters which cascades to swing-state results and the overall US Federal election.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago

What are you even talking about? They are making concrete demands, one of them being an arms embargo which Kamala has said won't happen. The way a deal works is if the other side doesn't accept your offer you don't just cave and perform your side of the bargain. And judging by the fact that Kamala hasn't proposed anything other than the same vague support for a ceasefire Biden has shown they haven't even tried to push for anything else that might satisfy this constituency.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You can leverage that into a deal.

They tried. Nothing happened. Because to the Democrats supporting Israel is more important than winning in November.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

… or they don’t really have the power to deliver their “base” vote anyway.

This press release stinks like one of those “I must discover where my people are going so that I can lead them” schticks.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

… or they don’t really have the power to deliver their “base” vote anyway.

Uh... They do. Muslims are one of the groups that have the most to lose from a Trump victory; it's just that Harris refuses to budge on the one thing making them unable to vote for her.