Palestinian Brooklynites express frustration with Presidential candidates hearing their voices

November 4, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

This combination of photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris during an ABC News presidential debate at the National Constitution Center, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. Photo: Alex Brandon/AP

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BAY RIDGE TO BENSONHURST — BROOKLYN’S PALESTINIAN COMMUNITY HAS EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION and disenchantment as Election Day approaches over the choices for President and other offices, reports BKReader. Many Palestinians, including a college professor, a clergyman, local merchants and residents, stated that the Israel-Hamas war — now in its second year — is weighing heavily on them, and that politicians are either not hearing or dismissing their voices. Disillusioned by promises, these Palestinians said that they would either vote for a third party candidate, with several naming the Green Party’s Jill Stein, or refrain from voting at all.

Moustafa Bayoumi, author on Muslim and Arab American topics. Photo by Neville Elder

an author and professor of English at Brooklyn College, while not mentioning the protests that took place last semester or the CUNY school’s response to them, spoke of a “palpable disaffection” for both nominees: current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Bayoumi, who spoke at a recent conference in Dearborn, Michigan, pointed out, “Panelist after panelist expressed the idea that they couldn’t vote for a genocide enabler … It does not prevent mass slaughter, and it actively silences the legitimate concerns and voices of our people.” Likewise, Pastor Khader Khalilia, who serves Redeemer-St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dyker Heights, told BKReader, “I’m really struggling with the genocide,” he said. “The current administration is complicit.”

During her last full week of campaigning, Vice President and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, who was reportedly heckled several times during her speeches, has pledged to work “full time” as president to secure a cease-fire and hostage release.”

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