Bill Clinton defends Israel’s Gaza assault, draws outrage from Arab American leaders at Harris rally

Critics have called Clinton’s remarks dehumanizing and racially insensitive, echoing language often used by Israeli hardliners to justify the high Palestinian death toll.

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Former President Bill Clinton’s recent comments on Israel’s assault in Gaza have ignited widespread outrage among Arab American leaders and pro-Palestinian advocates, particularly in Michigan. Speaking at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in a key swing state with a significant Arab American population, Clinton suggested that Israel’s civilian toll in Gaza is an unfortunate, but necessary result of self-defense following Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. Critics have called Clinton’s remarks dehumanizing and racially insensitive, echoing language often used by Israeli hardliners to justify the high Palestinian death toll. His comments underscore a deepening rift between Democratic leaders and Arab American communities as the 2024 presidential election nears.

Clinton’s comments followed Hamas’s deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which claimed the lives of around 700 Israelis. While acknowledging the tragedy of civilian casualties, Clinton framed Israel’s subsequent attacks on Gaza—which have reportedly killed at least 43,000 Palestinians, primarily civilians—as justified. Clinton suggested that Israel had no choice but to take aggressive action in Gaza, even if it meant civilian losses. “They’ll force you to kill civilians if you want to defend yourself,” he said, a remark suggesting that Hamas deliberately places civilians in harm’s way as shields. Clinton’s statements have drawn sharp criticism for echoing an Israeli narrative that, advocates argue, rationalizes mass casualties of Palestinians.

Clinton also referenced ancient history to justify Israel’s territorial claims, invoking a biblical lineage to the land now called Israel and Palestine. “Israelis were there first, before their faith existed,” he stated, an assertion rooted in Zionist ideology that positions the land as inherently Israeli and ignores Palestinian claims. His reference to King David and ancient Israel reinforces hardline arguments used to negate Palestinian rights to the land, disregarding modern historical context and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948, during the Nakba.

Michigan, with one of the largest Arab American populations in the country, reacted strongly to Clinton’s rhetoric. The state’s Arab American leaders and pro-Palestinian advocates have condemned his comments as inflammatory and out of touch, particularly given the substantial Arab American voting bloc that Democrats are working to retain. Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, a leading figure in Michigan’s Arab American community, voiced his frustration: “When you see the remarks of former President Bill Clinton, talking about how Israel is forced to kill civilians … it gets extremely frustrating.” The comment reflects a broader sentiment that Democrats are ignoring Arab American perspectives in favor of pro-Israel stances that alienate key voter demographics.

The backlash from Clinton’s comments has spotlighted an ongoing issue within the Democratic Party: the growing disconnect with progressive voices and communities that oppose the U.S.’s support of Israeli policies in Gaza. In Michigan, where Vice President Kamala Harris is locked in a close race against Republican nominee Donald Trump, the alienation of Arab American voters could prove consequential. Many Arab Americans, historically aligned with the Democratic Party, are reportedly considering switching support to Trump, a shift attributed to disillusionment with the Biden administration’s unwavering support of Israel amid its military campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon.

Polling data underscores the seriousness of this shift. A recent survey shows growing support for Trump among Arab American voters in Michigan, with many citing dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party’s stance on Middle Eastern conflicts as a primary factor. Pro-Democratic messages urging Arab Americans to vote against Trump are failing to resonate with voters seeking a more decisive stance on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. As Palestinian American comedian and activist Amer Zahr remarked, Clinton’s remarks are “insulting” and out of touch with the concerns of Arab American voters, who are calling for more substantive action to support Palestinian rights.

Further inflaming tensions, Clinton’s comments came as Harris’s campaign enlists prominent Republican figures, including former Vice President Dick Cheney, to endorse her candidacy—a move that pro-Palestinian advocates say highlights the party’s indifference to Arab American concerns. Hammoud remarked that Clinton’s remarks, compounded by Cheney’s endorsement, are alienating to Arab American communities. “Is that supposed to be a welcoming message to this community?” Hammoud asked. His comment underscores the risk that Democrats face by appearing to disregard Arab American voters’ frustrations with the U.S.’s foreign policy in the Middle East.

Clinton’s comments also underscore a broader trend within U.S. foreign policy, where pro-Israel positions often marginalize or vilify Palestinian perspectives. By framing Israel’s actions as purely defensive and Palestinians as instigators, Clinton’s rhetoric perpetuates a one-sided narrative that overlooks human rights violations and collective punishment. His remarks reflect a larger historical trend, dating back to his own presidency, where Democratic administrations have often supported Israel’s territorial ambitions while sidelining Palestinian claims.

The implications of Clinton’s statements reach beyond the current election cycle. Arab American leaders argue that Clinton’s remarks not only ignore the political reality but also risk entrenching biased narratives within Democratic Party rhetoric. This stance could result in long-term shifts in voter allegiance, as Arab American communities weigh their political options against a backdrop of escalating violence and an apparent disregard for Palestinian lives.

The stakes of alienating Arab American voters are particularly high in Michigan, a swing state that has played a decisive role in recent presidential elections. The Harris campaign’s apparent prioritization of messages condemning Trump over addressing Arab American concerns has left many in Michigan’s Arab American community feeling sidelined. Some, like Tariq Kenney-Shawa, argue that Clinton’s comments expose deeper biases within the party, pointing out that Clinton “sees Israelis as Americans and Palestinians as subhumans.” His remark speaks to a broader sentiment among Arab American leaders who feel that Democrats are neglecting their community’s calls for an equitable approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As Clinton’s remarks continue to draw criticism, the Democratic Party faces pressure to reassess its stance on Gaza to avoid further alienating key voting blocs. The party’s reliance on anti-Trump rhetoric may fall short if it does not address the substantive concerns of Arab American voters. As Hammoud put it, “When you see the remarks of former President Bill Clinton, talking about how Israel is forced to kill civilians … it gets extremely frustrating.” 

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