United States Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is considering three Palestinian rights advocates to be her running mate in the upcoming elections. The candidates are Abed Ayoub, Amer Zahr, and Jacqueline Luqman, all of whom have spoken out against Israel and US support for the war on Gaza. Stein’s campaign hopes that having a Palestine advocate on the ticket could attract disaffected voters frustrated with the mainstream Democratic Party’s stance on Israel. The vice president announcement will be made during a livestream rally on Thursday. While Stein’s campaign is a long shot, it could potentially impact the election results, especially in places like Michigan with large Arab- and Muslim-American communities.
Ayoub, Zahr, and Luqman have all expressed their honor at being considered for the position and believe that Stein’s candidacy provides voters with a choice outside the two major parties in US politics. They highlight the importance of opposing the war on Gaza and challenging the status quo in American politics. Stein’s candidacy aims to raise awareness and support for third-party candidates in the future, rejecting the idea that voting for third parties is a wasted vote.
The war on Gaza has become a decisive issue in the presidential race, with many Arab, Muslim, young, and progressive voters expressing anger at the Biden administration’s support for Israel. Stein’s campaign, with a focus on Palestinian rights, could challenge Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, on the issue. While Harris has expressed empathy for Palestinian suffering, she has also pledged unwavering commitment to Israel. Palestinian rights advocates are pushing against a rumored frontrunner for the vice president position, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has made controversial statements about Palestinians in the past.
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