A recent poll conducted by the Arab American Institute (AAI) has revealed a significant drop in support for President Joe Biden among Arab American voters.
This decline is directly attributed to Biden's repeated declarations of unwavering support for Israel amidst the ongoing Israeli bombardment on Gaza.
The AAI's analysis states that Biden's support among Arab American voters has plummeted from 59% in 2020 to a mere 17% today, marking a stark and unprecedented shift in allegiance within this demographic. For the first time in AAI's 26-year history of polling, a majority of Arab Americans no longer express a preference for the Democratic party.
Moreover, the poll underscores a notable surge in identification with the Republican party, with 40% of respondents indicating their intent to vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 elections. This marks a five percentage-point increase from 2020, setting an all-time high for Arab American affiliation with the Republican party.
James Zogby, president and co-founder of AAI, emphasized the significance of understanding this shift, stating, "It’s important for our organizing that we know how the community is positioning itself in this. And it’s important for us to let the administration know – you’re at risk of losing this particular component group of the community."
This shift in allegiance could potentially spell trouble for Biden in the 2024 elections, particularly in swing states like Michigan, which boasts one of the highest Arab American populations in the nation.
The poll also highlights that 66% of Arab Americans hold a negative view of Biden's response to the conflict, reflecting a widespread discontentment within the community. Additionally, a majority (68%) believe that the United States should cease sending weapons and military supplies to Israel and instead utilize its influence to advocate for a ceasefire.
Alarming findings in the poll point to a surge in discrimination against Arab Americans, particularly among those aged 18 to 34. A high number of respondents reported experiencing discrimination based on their ethnicity or national origin. The fear of repercussions in the U.S. due to the violence in the Middle East is palpable, with eight out of 10 Arabs expressing concern about a potential rise in anti-Arab bigotry, and two-thirds fearing an uptick in antisemitism.
“Half of all Arab Americans felt concerned about facing discrimination at school, work, and in their local community due to the recent violence in Palestine and Israel, with two-thirds expressing concern about showing support for Palestinians,” according to AAI.
These fears are starkly illustrated by the killing of a six-year-old Palestinian boy in Illinois earlier this month. The suspect, Joseph Czuba, 71, fatally stabbed six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and wounded his mother Hanaan Shahin after breaking into their home while allegedly shouting “You Muslims must die!” during the attack.
