United States Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein is considering three Palestinian rights advocates, including two Arab Americans, as potential running mates for the upcoming elections. The vice president announcement will be made during a livestream rally on Thursday.
The candidates being considered are Abed Ayoub, Amer Zahr, and Jacqueline Luqman, all vocal critics of Israel and the US’s support for the war on Gaza. Stein is known for her longtime support of Palestinian rights, and having one of the three advocates on the ticket could help her tap into disaffected voters unhappy with the mainstream Democratic Party’s stance on Israel.
While Stein’s campaign is considered a long-shot bid, it could still affect the election results, especially in places like Michigan with large Arab- and Muslim-American communities. The three potential running mates all expressed their honor in being considered and believe that Stein’s candidacy is important in challenging the two-party political system in the US.
The issue of Gaza has become increasingly decisive in the presidential race, with communities showing willingness to break with Democrats over their support for Israel. With Stein’s campaign potentially shifting the focus towards Gaza policy, it could force Democratic candidate Kamala Harris to contend with growing frustration over President Biden’s support for Israel.
Despite criticisms that voting for third-party candidates is a wasted vote, the advocates believe that supporting alternative candidates like Stein is necessary to challenge the current political system and present voters with options that reflect their values. Stein’s campaign could help increase awareness and support for third-party candidates in future elections.
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