Bronx-born Eli Knoller, a dual citizen residing in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, expresses hope that the next American president will enable Israel to “finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza, following the death of his son in battle.
Conversely, Abduljabbar Alqam, a Palestinian American living nearby, is horrified by what he perceives as U.S. complicity in the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Despite their differing perspectives, both men are united in their decision not to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, tens of thousands of U.S. citizens reside on opposing sides of the conflict, many expressing disappointment with the Biden administration's handling of the situation in Gaza, which escalated following a Hamas-led attack on Israel last October.
Polling indicates that many Israelis favor former President Donald J. Trump, recalling his strong support for Israel, while Palestinians show frustration with President Biden's backing of Israel, feeling little difference between the candidates. Their sentiments reflect broader discontent regarding the Gaza conflict across the American political landscape.
“The Democrats need to lose, and they need to know that one of the biggest reasons they lost is their stance on Israel,” stated Mr. Alqam, who intends to vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein. “It’s about making a statement.”
The war in Gaza has complicated the final year of Mr. Biden’s presidency, highlighting divisions within his party and exposing perceived American weaknesses in the Middle East. U.S. envoys have been attempting to negotiate a cease-fire, but without success.
The potential impact of a new president on the conflict remains uncertain. During his presidency, Mr. Trump adopted a pro-Israel stance and proposed a peace plan favoring Israeli interests but has since urged Israel to reduce military action.
Ms. Harris generally aligns with President Biden’s views, advocating for Israel's right to self-defense while seeking a resolution to the conflict and the release of hostages in Gaza. Although she has acknowledged Palestinian suffering, her approach has not signaled a significant departure from the current administration's policies.
Estimates suggest that at least 150,000 Americans live in Israel, with approximately 60,000 residing in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. This figure represents around 15 percent of the settler population, according to academic sources.
Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinian Americans also inhabit the West Bank, although official statistics are lacking. Generations of Palestinians have traveled between the United States and the West Bank, experiencing unequal rights under Israeli law, with settlers enjoying full rights contrasted by the military occupation faced by Palestinians.
Kory Bardash, co-chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, lives in a settlement with a notable American presence and perceives a lack of decisive U.S. action as detrimental to Israel’s standing in the region. “Under the current administration, the players in this neighborhood sense weakness,” he remarked.
Some settlers, despite Mr. Trump’s unpredictable nature, still support Ms. Harris. Herzl Hefter, an American-born Orthodox rabbi residing in Efrat, noted that while he has concerns about Mr. Trump’s character, his neighbors have opted to support him nonetheless.
In towns north of Jerusalem, thousands of Palestinian Americans share their lives between the U.S. and the West Bank. Mr. Alqam, who returned to live in Turmus Aya for cultural reasons, has confronted the complexities of Israeli restrictions on Palestinians.
After returning, his family faced immediate violence, as Jewish extremists attacked their village following a Palestinian assault that resulted in Israeli casualties. Mr. Alqam acknowledged that a Trump presidency could lead to further emboldenment of hard-liners, but emphasized the importance of changing U.S. attitudes towards the conflict.
Some Palestinian Americans express cautious support for Ms. Harris, despite frustrations over her stance on Gaza. Hakeem Asheh, a resident of Nablus, believes the Democratic Party is evolving regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though he remains skeptical about the implementation of changes.
Mr. Knoller, who relocated to Karnei Shomron following his son's death while serving in Gaza, views voting for Mr. Trump as a clear choice. He expressed concerns that a Harris administration would pressure Israel into concessions that he finds unacceptable.