Today, Explained How Gaza could decide the election
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Nov 4, 2024 
Khalil AlHajal, Deputy opinion editor at the Detroit Free Press and a Dearborn native, joins Matt Grossmann, Director at Michigan State's Institute for Public Policy. They discuss how Arab American voters in Michigan are feeling disillusioned with Democrats due to their handling of the Gaza conflict. The conversation delves into the concept of political homelessness, the challenges of navigating political choices during strife, and how these factors may sway the election's outcome in a state known for tight races and shifting voter loyalties.
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Career Choice
- Khalil AlHajal chose journalism because of underrepresentation of Arab Americans in media.
- His parents, like many immigrant parents, wanted him to be a doctor.
Impact of Gaza and Lebanon
- The Arab American voting bloc in Michigan, especially in Dearborn, is heavily influenced by the war in Gaza and Lebanon.
- This has caused significant tension and difficulty in deciding who to vote for.
Importance of Arab American Vote
- The Arab American voting bloc, around 200,000, could be pivotal in Michigan's close election.
- Past elections were decided by margins as small as 10,000 votes, making this bloc potentially decisive.