Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 01-11-2024

Former President Bill Clinton is facing criticism from Arab and Muslim American communities for recent remarks asserting that Israel has been “compelled” to inflict civilian casualties in Gaza and for implying that Israelis were the first inhabitants of the Holy Land, preceding the Palestinians.

At a campaign event in Michigan for Democratic presidential hopeful Kamala Harris, Clinton addressed the ongoing violence in Gaza, acknowledging public discontent over civilian casualties but suggesting that Israel’s actions were a necessity due to Hamas’s tactics. The former president stated, “Hamas ensures civilians are used as shields, compelling you to kill civilians if you wish to defend yourself.”

He added, “I will do everything in my power to persuade people that violence cannot be the solution, on either side.”

Since the escalation in Gaza, reports indicate that Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 43,000 individuals in the Palestinian territory, predominantly women and children. A United Nations-supported investigative body has accused Israel of “crimes against humanity” throughout the conflict, including tactics such as forced starvation and attacks on civilian infrastructure. Palestinian armed groups have also faced war crimes allegations.

Clinton’s remarks further inflamed tensions when he claimed, “Israelis were here first, before [Hamas’s] faith existed,” omitting the historical context of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during the 1948 establishment of Israel.

‘Disrespectful and Inflammatory’

Arab and Muslim American leaders have expressed dismay over Clinton’s comments, describing them as dismissive toward communities the Democrats are keen to win over in the high-stakes November 5 election.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud criticized Clinton’s comments, saying, “When you hear former President Bill Clinton justify Israel’s actions against civilians, it’s deeply frustrating.” Hammoud went on to say that statements from figures like Liz Cheney endorsing Harris may have the opposite of the intended effect on his community.

Yousef Munayyer, head of the Palestine/Israel program at the Arab Center Washington DC, tweeted that Clinton’s comments were “the epitome of counterproductive messaging.”

Robert S. McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, denounced Clinton’s remarks as “callous and misleading,” calling them “both offensive and Islamophobic.”

Despite traditionally favoring Democratic candidates, many Arab Americans have voiced frustration with the party this election cycle, largely due to President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel amid conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, a stance that Harris has also taken. Polls indicate that Arab American support for Republican candidate Donald Trump has increased, particularly in the swing state of Michigan.

Democrats are also facing criticism for their perceived insensitivity toward the Palestinian cause, with some focusing more on warning progressives about the risks of a Trump presidency than on addressing Israeli policies in the Middle East.

Palestinian American comedian Amer Zahr, a candidate for Dearborn’s school board, described Clinton’s comments as “astonishingly tone-deaf,” expressing frustration over what he sees as outdated rhetoric that alienates Arab and Muslim voters.