By Andrea Shalal
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (Reuters) – Some outstanding Lebanese People on Friday endorsed Democrat Kamala Harris for president in a letter that mentioned the U.S. had been “unrelenting” in its assist for Lebanon beneath the Biden administration and that they count on further backing if Harris wins in November.
The endorsement got here amid ongoing Israeli assaults on Lebanon which have killed a minimum of 2,350 individuals during the last 12 months, based on the Lebanese well being ministry, with greater than 1.2 million individuals displaced. Militant group Hezbollah has additionally fired on Israel and about 50 Israeli troopers and civilians have been killed.
Signatories embrace former Congress members Donna Shalala and Toby Moffett, former President Barack Obama’s former transportation secretary Ray LaHood, teachers, CEOs and buyers.
Quite a few Arab People and Muslims are abandoning the Democratic Social gathering over the Biden administration’s assist for Israel in its struggle with Hamas.
Greater than 42,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, well being officers within the enclave say. The struggle started when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 individuals and abducting some 250 others.
Some Arab People and Muslims have declined to endorse Harris, whereas others are backing her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, or third-party candidate Jill Stein of the Inexperienced Social gathering.
The letter was organized by the American Job Drive on Lebanon, a Washington coverage group, whose president Ed Gabriel is considered one of a number of Arab American and Muslim leaders who met with Harris when she visited Flint, Michigan on Oct. 4.
The signers wrote that they had been reassured that their considerations concerning the violence in Lebanon and the necessity for financial and political reforms can be supported if Harris gained the Nov. 5 election. Her views stood in “stark” distinction to Trump, they wrote, with out elaboration.
Trump has referred to as Israel’s assaults on Lebanon “unacceptable” however not laid out any technique. His associates are attempting to win Arab American votes, with the assistance of Lebanese American businessman Massad Boulos, whose son is married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany.
“The Lebanese individuals have suffered terribly from the lack of harmless lives and big displacement of households and one of many worst financial disasters on the planet attributable to wide-spread corruption. They can’t afford one other lengthy drawn out struggle that additional destroys Lebanon,” the letter mentioned, because it referred to as for a ceasefire.
