Undecided Because of Gaza? Two Questions to Ask Yourself
When there are no good options, what do you do?
Election Day is Tuesday. Are you nervous?
If Trump wins, Democrats will only have themselves to blame. Biden and Harris's unwavering support of Israel's genocide of Palestinians has been so painful to witness that millions of people who otherwise would have voted for Harris, can't stomach the thought of it.
And I don't need to explain why Trump is a dangerous option.
The phrase “lesser of two evils” has never felt more fitting—not in my lifetime, and probably not yours.
I find so many people are struggling with who to vote for. Many are considering Trump, Stein, or refusing to vote in protest of the Democratic policies that have caused immense suffering.
If you're undecided because of Gaza, here are two questions I've considered and think you should too.
First, what do you want your vote to accomplish? Is your goal to hold the Democrats accountable for Gaza, or is it to alleviate the suffering in Gaza as soon as possible?
Punishing the Democrats by withholding your vote may feel like the “right” choice. After all, they haven’t earned your vote, and their disregard for human suffering should not be rewarded.
If you aim to lessen suffering, the "best" choice might mean supporting an undeserving candidate, as a strategic means to a higher end.
Second, consider this: Do you want to do what is right, or do you want to do what’s best?
The “right” choice in this scenario helps satisfy our need to keep our hands clean and our conscience clear. It is a principled choice that offers a sense of moral comfort.
The “best” choice here is uncomfortable but acknowledges our imperfect reality, offering the greatest hope for equity, justice, and peace for the Palestinians who have suffered far too long.
"... don’t allow this anger to elect Trump, for that would amplify the suffering abroad that rightly upsets you. Refusing to vote may seem a noble gesture, but it’s a self-marginalization that could mean even more starving children, even more displacement and even more death." - Nicholas Kristof, New York Times
KEY ELECTION NEWS
The Washington Post—owned by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos—made a surprising last-minute decision not to endorse a presidential candidate, sparking widespread debate and criticism. More on the uproar here.
Democrats sent Bill Clinton to Michigan – where Arabs make up a huge majority – to tell them Israelis were in Palestine first, the number of Palestinians killed doesn't matter, and that Hamas can't kill innocent civilians but Israel can. Yes, it was that bad.
Trump supporters made offensive and racist remarks at a large rally for him at Madison Square Garden last Sunday, echoing disturbing similarities to a Nazi rally held at the same venue in February 1939 by the German American Bund, a pro-Nazi organization. As the 1939 event targeted Jewish communities with racist attacks, thousands protested outside the rally.
- Some examples from Trump’s event:
- Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, known for prior racist remarks, called Puerto Rico a “floating island of garbage.” More on the backlash here.
- Puerto Ricans expressed outrage, with Jennifer Lopez, campaigning for Harris on Friday, denouncing Hinchcliffe’s comments. J.Lo’s response here and the Trump campaign's reaction here.
- Former NYC Mayor Giuliani claimed Palestinians are taught to kill Americans from age two.
- Trump advisor Andrew Miller declared “America is for Americans only,” echoing anti-immigrant rhetoric. Watch him melt down after being challenged here by onmelt down tough reporter.
Biden responded, saying, “The only garbage I see floating out there is his supporters.” He later tried to say that's not what he meant but it was no use.
Always up for a photo-op, Trump donned a bright safety vest and staged a campaign event where he climbed into a garbage truck.
ADRIANA GOMEZ LICONTrump’s former Chief of Staff, John Kelly, spoke out against the former president, telling the New York Times: “Trump met the definition of a fascist, would govern like a dictator if allowed, and had no understanding of the Constitution or the concept of rule of law.” Kelly decided to speak out after Trump suggested he’d consider using force against a political opponent.
Incendiary devices were used to damage ballot drop boxes in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon destroying hundreds of ballots. The AP reports that devices bore messages like “Free Gaza” and other pro-Palestinian slogans. Authorities expect the suspect may strike again. Election workers are providing replacement ballots for voters affected by the attacks, which follow a similar incident in Vancouver earlier this month.
ISRAEL-IRAN
Lex Harvey, Irene Nasser, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Hira Humayun
Iran is reportedly planning an imminent attack on Israel, according to CNN and Axios. Israeli intelligence suggests the attack could occur before the election.
Last Saturday, Israel launched strikes on military bases in Iran, reportedly killing at least four soldiers and one civilian.
Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed the strike was successful, achieving all of Israel's objectives, including the destruction of Iran's air defense systems and missile production capabilities.
While Iran has consistently stated that it does not seek war, the U.S. issued a warning last week, advising Iran against retaliation. However, sources told CNN that Iran intends to respond “definitively and painfully.”
PALESTINE
Three weeks after the U.S. warned Israel to improve Gaza's humanitarian conditions within 30 days or risk losing funding, the United Nations issued a dire alert, stating that “everyone in north Gaza is at risk of dying.” On Thursday, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller reported that Israel has made insufficient progress since the warning. More here.
And then, Israel's parliament passed legislation to ban UNRWA. Learn more about Israel's motives for dismantling the UN agency that it advocated creating here.
The State Department has received nearly 500 reports alleging Israeli human rights violations but has yet to act on any of them, as reported by the Washington Post. U.S. law mandates that these investigations be completed within two months, and a finding of violations would legally require a halt in U.S. funding to Israel. The State Department cites the complexity of these cases and states that it is actively reviewing them.
Amos Schocken, publisher of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, recently referred to Israel as an “apartheid regime” deserving of sanctions, and controversially called Hamas “freedom fighters.” Amid public backlash, Schocken clarified he does not endorse “freedom fighters” who use terrorism. In response, the Israeli government severed all ties with Haaretz, barring state employees from subscribing to the publication. The justice minister also introduced a bill imposing a 20-year prison sentence on anyone advocating for sanctions against Israel.
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on human rights in occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, warns that Israel’s actions in Gaza are "metastasizing" to include the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Increasingly aggressive Israeli raids on Palestinians, arbitrary imprisonments, violent settler attacks, and the targeting of medical facilities and personnel underscore the dire situation there.
Over the past year, 692 Palestinians—including 169 children—have been killed in the West Bank, a tenfold increase from the 14-year average of 69 deaths per year.
Eighty percent of these children suffered fatal shots to the head or torso, known as “kill shots,” suggesting deliberate targeting. Remarkably, 20% of all children killed in the West Bank in the last year were slain in the past twelve months.
The US didn't waste any time trying to trash her reputation:
AROUND THE WORLD
SPAIN
Severe flash flooding struck the Valencia region, claiming the lives of at least 205 people. Climate experts warn that such extreme flooding events are increasingly likely due to global warming. Until now, Spain had been experiencing a two-year drought, which left the ground too hardened to absorb the heavy rainfall, compounding the danger.
RUSSIA
Thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia to assist in its war against Ukraine. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed the movement, calling it a “significant escalation” and a “dangerous expansion” of the conflict. Additional North Korean forces are expected in Russia, with combat engagements anticipated soon.
AFGHANISTAN
The Taliban has now barred Afghan women from praying audibly or using religious expressions in the presence of other adult women. This follows a series of increasingly restrictive laws imposed since the Taliban's takeover after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Afghan women are already forced to cover themselves fully, banned from education beyond sixth grade, prohibited from speaking loudly, and barred from many professions.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ELECTION NIGHT?
Major news networks have a dedicated team that makes "calls" on election night. Usually, smaller outlets rely on the AP or Decision Desk HQ.
The process is complicated but shockingly accurate. Having seen this happen in real-time, I can tell you it is intense.
No one other than the elections director can make the "call." Not the anchors, reporters, or executives. This team is independent of the news and editorial departments.
Unless it's a total blowout, don't expect the race to be called Tuesday night. In addition to 2020, the 2004 race between George Bush and John Kerry was not called until the following day.
Two interesting reads on the matter:
1) How the AP calls races:
2) How Arizona caused controversy at FOX News in 2020 here.
In 2020, all but a few states had been called by day's end. Trump falsely declared victory and demanded states stop counting votes. By 2:30 am, he was threatening to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
REMEMBER 2020?
More than three days after the election, AP and Decision Desk HQ called the presidency for Biden after determining he had won Pennsylvania, securing the needed 270 Electoral College votes.
Trump refused to concede. His supporters harassed election workers, filed baseless lawsuits, and the GSA withheld the paperwork necessary for Biden's transition team to begin.
