Emgage Action, the political arm of an 18-year-old Muslim American advocacy group, announced its support for Harris on Wednesday, emphasizing the importance of preventing Donald Trump from returning to the White House. Operating in eight states, including key battlegrounds like Michigan and Pennsylvania, the group will focus its voter outreach on Harris and other candidates down the ballot.
While Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, acknowledged the group's disagreements with Harris, particularly on her stance regarding Gaza, he described the endorsement as a pragmatic choice. This decision follows months of tension between Muslim and Arab American communities and Democratic leaders over the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The conflict, which escalated after Hamas' attack on Israel in early October, has resulted in significant casualties, with more than 1,200 Israelis and over 41,000 Palestinians killed, according to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry.
Alzayat described the endorsement as a difficult but necessary decision, emphasizing the group's alignment with many of Harris' domestic policies and hope for her approach to the Middle East. Emgage Action's support also aims to prevent a return to policies like Trump's controversial "Muslim ban."
The Trump campaign, however, dismissed the endorsement, insisting that voters still see Trump as the best choice for all Americans. Harris' campaign acknowledged the endorsement and reiterated her commitment to addressing the war in Gaza and its broader humanitarian impact.
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