What Some Gaza Protest Voters See in Trump
Digest
This podcast episode delves into the "uncommitted movement" in the US, a group of voters dissatisfied with both major political parties. The episode focuses on how the Middle East conflict, particularly the war in Gaza and Israel's invasion of Lebanon, has impacted this movement and its potential influence on the upcoming election. The episode highlights the concerns of uncommitted voters in Michigan, particularly Arab-Americans, who are critical of Kamala Harris's stance on Israel and the ongoing conflict. They question whether she will fundamentally change US policy. The episode explores Trump's attempts to appeal to Arab voters in Michigan, highlighting his contradictory and often inflammatory rhetoric. While some Arab voters see his comments as outreach, others find them offensive and believe he is simply trying to exploit the situation for political gain. The episode discusses the impact of right-wing influencers like Jackson Hinkle and Nick Flentes, who have gained traction in online Arab spaces with their pro-Palestinian rhetoric. This has led some to question whether the Republican party is actually more pro-Palestinian than the Democrats, despite Trump's history of anti-Arab rhetoric. The episode examines the potential impact of Netanyahu's actions in the Middle East on the US election. It suggests that Netanyahu's escalation of the conflict could benefit Trump by increasing fear and uncertainty among voters, leading them to seek a change candidate. The episode explores the surprising perception of Trump as a peace candidate among some voters, particularly those who are anti-war. This perception stems from his rhetoric against NATO and his desire to withdraw from foreign conflicts, despite his actual actions. The episode critiques the bipartisan foreign policy establishment in the US, arguing that it has failed to address the concerns of anti-war voters. It suggests that there is a growing movement on both the left and right that is seeking a more isolationist approach to foreign policy.
Outlines
The Uncommitted Movement and the Middle East Conflict
This podcast episode discusses the "uncommitted movement" in the US, a group of voters who are dissatisfied with both major political parties and are hesitant to vote for either candidate. The episode focuses on how the conflict in the Middle East, particularly the war in Gaza and Israel's invasion of Lebanon, has impacted this movement and how it might affect the upcoming election.
The Impact of the Middle East Conflict on the Election
The episode delves into the specific concerns of uncommitted voters in Michigan, who are largely Arab-American. They are critical of Kamala Harris's stance on Israel and the ongoing conflict, questioning whether she will fundamentally change US policy.
Trump's Strategy to Court Arab Voters
The episode explores Trump's attempts to appeal to Arab voters in Michigan, highlighting his contradictory and often inflammatory rhetoric. While some Arab voters see his comments as outreach, others find them offensive and believe he is simply trying to exploit the situation for political gain.
The Influence of Right-Wing Influencers and Netanyahu's Role
The episode discusses the impact of right-wing influencers like Jackson Hinkle and Nick Flentes, who have gained traction in online Arab spaces with their pro-Palestinian rhetoric. It also examines the potential impact of Netanyahu's actions in the Middle East on the US election, suggesting that his escalation of the conflict could benefit Trump by increasing fear and uncertainty among voters.
Trump as the Peace Candidate and the Failure of Bipartisan Foreign Policy
The episode explores the surprising perception of Trump as a peace candidate among some voters, particularly those who are anti-war. It also critiques the bipartisan foreign policy establishment in the US, arguing that it has failed to address the concerns of anti-war voters and suggesting a growing movement on both the left and right seeking a more isolationist approach to foreign policy.
Keywords
Uncommitted Movement
A group of voters who are dissatisfied with both major political parties and are hesitant to vote for either candidate. They often hold strong views on specific issues, such as foreign policy or social justice, and are seeking a candidate who aligns with their values.
Arab-American Voters
A significant demographic group in the US, particularly in states like Michigan, who are often targeted by political campaigns. Their voting patterns are influenced by a range of factors, including their views on foreign policy, social issues, and economic concerns.
Middle East Conflict
A complex and long-standing conflict involving Israel, Palestine, and neighboring countries. It has been a major source of political tension and instability in the region, with significant implications for US foreign policy and domestic politics.
Netanyahu
The current Prime Minister of Israel, known for his hawkish stance on the Palestinian issue. His actions in the Middle East, particularly his escalation of the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, have been criticized by many, including some within the US political establishment.
Trump's Foreign Policy
Trump's foreign policy has been characterized by a focus on American interests, a willingness to withdraw from international agreements, and a preference for bilateral deals over multilateral ones. His approach has been controversial, with critics arguing that it has damaged US alliances and undermined global stability.
Anti-War Sentiment
A growing sentiment among voters, particularly on the left and right, who are opposed to US military intervention in foreign conflicts. This sentiment is often driven by concerns about the cost of war, the loss of human life, and the potential for unintended consequences.
Q&A
How has the conflict in the Middle East impacted the "uncommitted movement" in the US?
The conflict has intensified the concerns of uncommitted voters, particularly Arab-Americans, who are critical of the US government's support for Israel. They are seeking a candidate who will fundamentally change US policy in the region, but are hesitant to vote for either major party candidate.
What is Trump's strategy for appealing to Arab voters in Michigan?
Trump has employed a contradictory and often inflammatory approach, making both pro-Palestinian and anti-Palestinian statements. While some Arab voters see this as outreach, others find it offensive and believe he is simply trying to exploit the situation for political gain.
How could Netanyahu's actions in the Middle East benefit Trump in the election?
Netanyahu's escalation of the conflict could benefit Trump by increasing fear and uncertainty among voters, leading them to seek a change candidate. This could be particularly effective in states like Michigan, where Arab-American voters are deeply concerned about the conflict.
Why do some voters perceive Trump as a peace candidate?
This perception stems from his rhetoric against NATO and his desire to withdraw from foreign conflicts, despite his actual actions. Some voters, particularly those who are anti-war, find his rhetoric appealing, even if they don't agree with his policies.
What is the significance of the growing anti-war sentiment in the US?
This sentiment reflects a growing dissatisfaction with the bipartisan foreign policy establishment, which is seen as having failed to address the concerns of anti-war voters. It suggests that there is a potential for a realignment in US foreign policy, with both the left and right seeking a more isolationist approach.
Show Notes
With the U.S. Presidential election less than a month away, and the war in Gaza now ongoing for a full year, the group of voters who are “uncommitted” to a candidate remains a wild card. Thousands of Democratic voters say that they will not vote for Kamala Harris because of her support for Israel’s war effort. The New Yorker staff writer Andrew Marantz joins Tyler Foggatt to discuss the potential impact of such protest voters. “If you’re antiwar . . . it can actually be really hard to figure out who represents your interests, if anyone,” Marantz says. “That’s the kind of information vacuum, the kind of ambiguity, that Trump thrives in.”
This week’s reading:
- “Reporting on Democratic Rifts in Michigan,” by Andrew Marantz
- “Among The Gaza Protest Voters,” by Andrew Marantz
- “The Gaza We Leave Behind,” by Mosab Abu Toha
- “A Year After October 7th, a Kibbutz Survives,” by Ruth Margalit
- “Why Netanyahu Won’t Cease Fire,” by Bernard Avishai
To discover more podcasts from The New Yorker, visit newyorker.com/podcasts. To send feedback on this episode, write to themail@newyorker.com.
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