Arabs for Israel, Muslims against it: The new map of Congress | Dr. Moshe Elad

Dr. Moshe Elad analyzes the new political map of the U.S. Congress after the midterm elections, with an increase in the number of Muslim and Arab-American elected officials. Abdul El-Sayed was elected to the Senate as the first Muslim. The article presents ideological gaps among the representatives, with Republicans of Lebanese and Syrian descent supporting Israel, and Democrats of Palestinian and Egyptian descent criticizing its policies.

Dr. Moshe Elad analyzes the new political map of the U.S. Congress following the midterm elections held last week. Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan was elected to the Senate, becoming the first Muslim in the history of the United States in the upper house. Ten politicians of Arab or Muslim descent were elected or re-elected to the House of Representatives. The article highlights the ideological gaps among the representatives: Republicans of Lebanese and Syrian descent integrate into the conservative camp that supports Israel, while some Democrats of Palestinian and Egyptian descent represent a progressive stream seeking to change U.S. policy toward Israel, particularly military aid. However, the author emphasizes that one should not conclude that all Muslim or Arab-American members of Congress hold similar positions, and that ethnic identity is not a barrier to integration into the conservative camp. The article identifies four possible trends: continued integration into the major parties, strengthening of the progressive wing, consolidation in the conservative camp, and a shift from identity politics to interest-based politics.