The Council on American–Islamic Relations Action New Jersey (CAIR Action NJ) endorses pro-freedom New Jersey congressional candidates, most of them running under the label of the Green Party or other minor political parties.
The 2024 election comes at a critical time for the Muslim community and all free peoples who are committed to justice, human rights, and peace.
This year’s US elections will not only shape domestic policies but also have profound implications for international issues, particularly regarding the crisis in Palestine and surrounding countries.
In addition, rising Islamophobia continues to threaten the safety, rights, and dignity of Muslims in the U.S. and around the world. The positions that candidates take on these issues; Palestine, Islamophobia, and broader justice concerns, are at the heart of CAIR Action’s
voter evaluation. CAIR Action NJ’s position on a ceasefire, supporting an arms embargo, fighting anti-Muslim bigotry, and other social justice issues has heavily influenced support for candidates who share the same values.
In a time when elections can be won by narrow margins, every vote is crucial. According to CAIR Action, voters need to be empowered and informed about candidates and where they stand on the issues that matter most.
This election has far-reaching consequences, especially in state and local races that could be decided by just a few votes. Every vote is a powerful tool in shaping a future grounded in justice, peace, and equality for all.
CAIR Action NJ is asking voters to stand up for a world where human rights are upheld everywhere.
The Green Party nationally and in NJ has focused much of its campaigning for elections 2024 around the issue of US support for Israel and its operations in Gaza, expanding into the West Bank and Lebanon and the potential of Israel leading the world into a regional Middle East war.
CAIR Action NJ’s voter guide says that it is concerned about Israel, as an unregistered foreign entity, exerting inappropriate influence on American political party candidates.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the second highest recipient of funding from AIPAC (President Joe Biden in pole position) has made clear that her support for Israel is “iron clad”.
President Donald Trump – another alleged recipient of AIPAC funding, asserts that his support for Israel is even more concrete.
Congressional representatives of both mainstream political parties are alleged to have received donations from AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobby groups who falsely equate antisemitism to what The International Court of Justice has determined, namely, that “Israel’s occupation and annexation of the Palestinian territories as unlawful, and its discriminatory laws and policies against Palestinians violate the prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid”.
A recent study claims that in three swing states, Muslim voters favour Jill Stein for president over Kamala Harris. There has also been a unified call of most of the major Muslim organizations in the US that are not 501(c)3 to vote for anti-Genocide candidates – including Jill Stein, Claudia De La Cruz, Joseph Kishore, or Cornel West (who is not on the ballot but may be written in).
Also earning the group’s endorsement: the Green Party’s Christina Khalil (U.S. Senate), Robin Brownfield (1st district), Thomas Cannavo (2nd district), Steve Welzer (3rd district), Barry Bendar (4th district), Beau Forte (5th district), Andrew Black (7th district), Christian Robbins (8th district), Benjamin Taylor (9th district), Lily Benavides (11th district), and Kim Meudt (12th district); the Libertarian Party’s Lana Leguía (7th district) and Vic Kaplan (12th district); and independent Fahad Akthar (6th district).
A few other congressional candidates, while not earning CAIR Action NJ’s full endorsement, were granted a label of “neutral,” indicating that they “represent a better alternative to candidates who actively harm these causes.” Among the “neutral” candidates are Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown), the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, and Democratic Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) and LaMonica McIver (D-Newark).
Notes from the Editor: This feature has been edited from its original publication here.
