Muslim Americans shunning Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris: poll
Angry over the US’s position on Gaza, growing numbers of Arab and Muslim Americans are turning away from Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, a poll by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) shows.
While such voters make up a relatively small percentage of the US populace, they could play an important role in decisive battleground states, such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Arizona.
In Michigan, home to a large Arab-American community, 40 percent of Muslim voters now back the third-party candidate Jill Stein, according to the CAIR poll. Eighteen percent back Republican candidate Donald Trump, while just 12 percent support Harris.
Stein, who is running with the Green Party, also leads Harris among Muslims in Arizona and Wisconsin, the CAIR poll showed.
The trend is a sharp reversal from 2020, when Muslim Americans overwhelmingly supported the Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden, according to exit polls.
Abbas meets Spanish PM Sanchez in Madrid
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid.
During the meeting, Abbas discussed financial challenges in the Palestinian territories, ways to boost bilateral ties, and his planned visit to the Gaza Strip, according to Wafa news agency. He also thanked Sanchez for Spain’s recognition of Palestinian statehood, which he said was proof of its “commitment” to Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
“We also appreciate your efforts in the European Union and in international forums and your role in supporting the implementation of the two-state solution,” Abbas told Sanchez during a news press conference.
Sanchez also urged restraint following the explosives attacks in Lebanon.
“Today the risk of escalation has again dangerously increased. President Abbas and I have been talking about it in Lebanon, so we have to make a new and strong call for restraint, for de-escalation, for peaceful coexistence between countries. In short, to peace,” he told reporters.
Spain, whose prime minister was an early critic of Israel’s war on Gaza, formally recognised Palestinian statehood in May.
France’s Macron condemns Lebanon attacks in call with PM Mikati
French President Emmanuel Macron has held a phone conversation with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati during which he voiced his “condemnation” for the blasts that killed at least 37 people and wounded several thousand, according to a statement quoted by the NNA news agency.
Macron expressed his “solidarity and sympathy with Lebanon in this painful ordeal” and called on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid an escalation. The French president did not make any direct reference to Israel, which is being blamed for but has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.
For his part, Mikati thanked Macron for his “affection and continuous support for Lebanon” and requested “that a firm stance be taken against the Israeli aggression during the Security Council session scheduled for tomorrow at the request of the Lebanese government”.
