Washington: The Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) announced on Monday that it will not endorse either Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican former President Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. elections. The group cited what it described as their “blind support” for Israel during its conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon as the key reason behind this decision.
This marks the first time since AAPAC’s establishment in 1998 that the organization has chosen not to back any candidate. Historically, AAPAC has endorsed Democrats, reflecting the voting patterns of many Arab and Muslim Americans, who have often rallied behind the Democratic Party.
Polls suggest the race between Harris and Trump is close, with neither candidate holding a clear lead. In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden secured overwhelming support from Arab and Muslim American voters. However, growing dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Israel, particularly amid recent conflicts, has eroded Democratic support in these communities.
Trump’s policies during his presidency, including the travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries, resulted in historically low approval ratings from Arab and Muslim Americans. Despite this, he remains vocal in his support for Israel, a stance shared by Harris and Biden, which has deepened the divide with these voter blocs.
Political analysts warn that Harris’ chances in the upcoming election may be at risk if Arab and Muslim Americans either abstain from voting or shift their support to a third-party candidate. Many individuals from these communities have lost relatives in Gaza and Lebanon and are urging their peers to refrain from voting for either Harris or Trump. Some advocacy groups, such as Emgage Action, continue to back Harris, viewing Trump as a greater threat despite their shared pro-Israel positions.
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In a statement, AAPAC strongly condemned both candidates, declaring: “Both candidates have endorsed genocide in Gaza and war in Lebanon. We simply cannot give our votes to either Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, who blindly support the criminal Israeli government.”
Israel has denied allegations of genocide in the World Court, insisting that its military actions are acts of self-defense in response to an October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of about 250 hostages.
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Since then, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has reportedly resulted in nearly 42,000 deaths, according to the local health ministry, and displaced almost the entire population. In Lebanon, where Israel is targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, over 2,000 people have been killed, according to Lebanese government sources.
