### Trump's Reelection Sparks Reflection Among Pro-Palestinian Democrats

Donald Trump's recent reelection has left pro-Palestinian Democrats grappling with both frustration and vindication. Members of the Uncommitted National Movement had spent months urging the Biden administration to reconsider its unwavering support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. They warned that the continuous flow of military aid could erode support among Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan and diminish enthusiasm among young, progressive-minded voters—key demographics that had helped Joe Biden secure his 2020 victory.

James Zogby, co-founder of the Arab American Institute and a long-time Democratic National Committee member, emphasized that the conflict’s impact was broader than initially anticipated. According to Zogby, lower turnout in college areas and among young Black voters was one consequence of the administration's stance on Gaza, as evidenced by polling data collected over the past year.

Preliminary post-election analysis suggests that these warnings were not unfounded. Arab Americans, alongside Latino and Black men, demonstrated a notable shift toward Trump. The president-elect managed to improve his vote-share across the board, from red states to traditionally liberal strongholds where some Democrats either stayed home or opted for third-party candidates.

In Dearborn, Michigan, home to the largest Arab American population in the U.S., the shift was particularly striking. Despite Biden's past success there, Trump secured 42% of the vote in Dearborn this election—a plurality—with Green Party nominee Jill Stein garnering almost 20%. Vice President Kamala Harris received 36% of the vote. National exit polls revealed that while a majority of Muslims (over 60%) voted for the Democrat, this represented a significant decline from previous election cycles.

Lexis Zeidan, co-founder of Uncommitted, criticized Harris for ignoring Arab and Muslim communities in places like Dearborn. According to Zeidan, Trump capitalized on these voters' emotions by addressing their concerns, something Harris failed to do.

Michigan Democrats, notably state party chair Lavora Barnes and United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain, expressed their objections to the decisions made at the Democratic National Convention. The refusal to allow a Palestinian-American speaker at the event was a particularly contentious issue that Uncommitted pushed back against.

Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman, who was slated to speak at the convention but was ultimately sidelined, expressed her deep dissatisfaction with the Harris campaign's lack of acknowledgment of the suffering among Palestinian-Americans and Lebanese-Americans. Romman, recently reelected to her statehouse seat, lamented that the campaign failed to engage with crucial voter bases adequately.

Despite Trump's controversial policies, many Arab American voters in Dearborn felt unrepentant about their choices. Dalal Baydoun, a Stein voter, emphasized that her vote allowed her to distance herself from the violence, implying a feeling of moral relief.

As the global community continues to debate Israel's actions in Gaza, the frustration among pro-Palestinian Democrats persists. Reports from international bodies like the United Nations have further fueled the anger, leading activists to feel more justified in their critique of the U.S. administration’s policies. Despite a subtle shift in Harris’ campaign rhetoric towards ending the war in Gaza, these voters felt overlooked and unheard at a critical juncture.

The recent election results reflect a broader dissatisfaction within the Democratic coalition, indicating the urgent need for party leaders to address these discordant voices or risk further fragmentation within their base.