Washington: Agencies
A new poll published by the American newspaper The Hill revealed that Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the US presidential elections, is leading his Democratic competitor Kamala Harris by two points among Arab American voters.
According to the poll, Trump is ahead of the Democratic candidate by 45% compared to 43% among Arab Americans, although these voters see the former president as more supportive of the Israeli government than the current administration. About 4% said they would likely vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein, 6% were undecided, and 2% did not share their preference.
At the same time, more voters trusted the former president's ability to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict than Harris, by 39% compared to 33% of the poll participants. The poll also showed that 69% see the Republican candidate as supportive of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, compared to 60% who said the same about Harris. Respondents were divided when asked about the candidate who would be "better for the Middle East" in general. Each of the two major party candidates received 38%. Nearly half of respondents, 46 percent, said racist and hateful attacks against Arab Americans would likely increase during a potential second Trump term. Half of respondents, 23 percent, said the same about a potential Harris presidency, and more voters in the poll believe Trump would be better for the U.S. economy, 47 percent, than the Democratic nominee, 41 percent.
A separate Washington Post poll found that the two candidates are neck and neck in all seven swing states, with two weeks of campaigning remaining before voters go to the polls on Nov. 5. It showed that 47 percent say they will definitely or probably support Harris, and 47 percent say they will definitely or probably support Trump. Among likely voters, 49 percent say they will support Harris and 48 percent say they will support Trump.
On the other hand, 30 Republican lawmakers announced the introduction of a bill that would cut off U.S. funding to the United Nations if it takes action to change Israel’s membership in the international organization. The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Jim Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Kevin Cramer, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said they would introduce the “Stand with Israel” Act to Congress once the Senate and House reconvene in a few weeks.

The proposed legislation would prohibit U.S. funding for the United Nations and its agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend or otherwise restrict Israel’s participation and membership.

Sen. Cramer said, “The United Nations and its institutions should not receive a single cent from American taxpayers if they move to punish Israel simply for defending its existence.”

Sen. Risch said, “Any attempt to change Israel’s status at the United Nations is patently anti-Semitic, and if UN member states allow the Palestinian Authority to downgrade Israel’s status at the organization, the United States must stop supporting it.”

This move comes after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution last May to upgrade Palestine to a “permanent observer” state, which allows it to participate in all UN procedures and increases the Palestinian Authority’s ability to influence Israel’s status and membership in this international organization.