This year’s election cycle has seen many dramatic events that have left voters seriously considering who will get their vote for White House. President Joe Biden dropping out of the race for reelection, the subsequent replacement of him by vice-president Kamala Harris, attempted assassinations on Republican candidate Donald Trump, and interesting debates to name just a few. Both candidates are now campaigning as hard as ever to win the support of the voters. According to ABC News, when surveying registered voters on who they were supporting before the second presidential debate, 50% responded Kamala Harris and 46% responded Donald Trump. With voter support nearly being split down the middle, candidate policies on pressing topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict could be a make or break for who gets into office.

Israel-Palestine became a heated topic among the people this past year with more than 130 protest encampments at private and public schools to end the violence in Gaza, according to the Crowd Counting Consortium. The candidates’ stance on Gaza is also considered one of the top three factors for judging candidates for 61% of Muslim voters in the swing states of Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU). 35% of likely voters are also in support of a permanent ceasefire and ending of the violence in Gaza, as per Data for Progress. Along with this, many Americans have expressed a concern towards how the conflict has been handled so far. IPSOS reports how 38% of those surveyed believe the United States has done too much for the conflict whilst 32% add there has not been enough done to protect Palestinian lives. With this singular issue uniting large groups of people, candidates have had to address it. 

Harris has spoken in support of Israel’s assault on Gaza multiple times. During this year’s Democratic National Convention, Harris stated, “I will always ensure Israel has the right to defend itself.” Harris restated, “Israel has a right to defend itself” during the second presidential debate. She claimed during the debate: “I have my entire… life… supported Israel.” Advisors close to Harris have also reported that she is unwilling to cut off arms transfers to Israel, according to Al Jazeera. Harris has also spoken on a supposed ceasefire deal followed up by a proposal for a two state solution during the debate.

Amidst this, the Uncommitted National Movement states that many voters have chosen to vote uncommitted: “Harris’s unwillingness to shift…has made it impossible for us to endorse her.” Lee, a senior at Wilcox, stated, “I don’t like Kamala… I don’t like how both candidates side for Israel…there’s not a candidate out there that seems to be on the side that I feel is morally right.” 

Young voters have clearly shown a large amount of concern towards the Gazan crisis. Young Democrats are the most likely group to show concern, with 54% of young Democrats agreeing the US has done an unsatisfactory job of protecting civilians caught in the conflict, in an IPSOS survey. Harris’s policy so far on Israel has caused many to desert the Democratic party. In an interview with the BBC, the president of the Michigan Chapter of the Arab American Bar Association states how many traditionally Democratic voters, “cannot stomach the thought of voting for someone who’s directly contributing to… death and destruction.” The change in support is also backed up with how 43% of Democrats over age 40 agree with the statement also given by younger Democrats. With opinions continuing a pattern of turning sour and a distaste for how the conflict, which has been taking place under the Biden-Harris administration, has been dealt with, it is clear how Harris will need a strong policy in favor of Palestinians and peace to be able to garner concrete support and head into office. 

Trump has also expressed support for Israel. He has stated he is, “proud to be the best friend Israel has ever had” at a Republican Jewish Coalition summit. Following this he has also suggested during the second Presidential debate that a loss for him in the presidential election would lead to the destruction of Israel. He stated, “If she’s president… Israel will not exist.” Trump has also addressed the conflict by proclaiming Israel is, “losing the PR war… get it over with and let’s get back to peace” during an interview with Hugh Hewitt.   

Trump’s foreign policy has received the same amount of support as Harris. In a survey by Data for Progress, Trump is leading by only 1% in the context of  foreign policy. 

 Early voting rolls in around as November approaches. The conflict escalates with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and pressure rising for the US to take action. It is evident a different Israel policy is needed from a candidate just as much as it is needed by the candidate to head into office.