Hind Omar, a Palestinian-American mother from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and her husband Andrew, who have been dedicated Democrats, are feeling disappointed and let down by the Democratic Party and President Biden. Despite their previous support and efforts for the Biden administration, they now view the party's approach to the conflict between Israel and Palestine as a betrayal of their community's interests.
The recent attack by Hamas militants on Israel on October 7, followed by Israel's assault on Gaza resulting in significant Palestinian casualties, including many women and children, has only intensified the sense of disillusionment among Palestinian-Americans like Hind. The Gaza Health Ministry's reported death toll and the lack of differentiation between civilian and combatant casualties have raised concerns and fueled a growing sentiment of abandonment by the Democratic Party that Hind and others used to rely on as a source of support and advocacy.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who has faced criticism for a perceived lack of outreach to the Arab and Muslim American communities, found herself confronted by protestors during a recent speech in Ann Arbor. Despite her reassurances about working towards ending the war and advocating for peace, the administration's continued backing of Israel through significant security assistance has left many feeling conflicted and unheard. This sentiment has created a dilemma for voters like Joshua Feinstein, a Jewish American Democrat with family in Lebanon, as they grapple with the ethical implications of their voting choices in response to the ongoing violence in the region.