Vice President Kamala Harris has been closely aligned with President Biden on Israel policy, but she has recently spoken out more forcefully about the suffering of Palestinians. This shift in tone has caught the attention of Arab American voters like Muna Jondy and her family.
In a WhatsApp group chat with 40 members, including Ms. Jondy’s relatives, various topics are discussed, from music rivalries to sports and politics. The conversation about President Biden’s re-election campaign dominated discussions this year, especially as his administration’s support for Israel during the Gaza conflict alienated many Muslim and Arab American families, including the Jondys.
However, when President Biden withdrew from the race and Vice President Harris emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee, the mood changed within the Jondy family. The family members took notice of Vice President Harris’s statements about not turning away from the suffering in Gaza, which seemed to resonate more with them than President Biden’s approach.
The shift in conversation within the Jondy family reflects a broader trend among Arab Americans across the country who felt disillusioned by President Biden’s handling of the Gaza conflict. Many voters who had supported him in 2020 felt betrayed and joined protest movements to voice their discontent.
Vice President Harris now has an opportunity to engage with Arab American voters and potentially win back their support. While she has maintained a similar stance to President Biden on Israel policy, her vocal acknowledgment of Palestinian suffering has sparked hope among some voters.
As the 2024 election approaches, Arab American voters like Muna Jondy and her family will be closely watching Vice President Harris’s campaign to see if her words translate into meaningful policy changes. The discussions within their WhatsApp group highlight the importance of addressing the concerns of this community and the potential impact it could have on the election outcome.