When I took my citizenship oath ceremony in December 2021, I was excited to effect my right to vote. Given the current situation in the Middle East and the Biden administration’s complicity in Israel’s war in Gaza, however, I now find myself grappling with a voting dilemma. 

Like many Arabs and Muslim Americans who traditionally vote for the Democrats, the civilian loss of life in Gaza has awakened me to reconsider my allegiance to the party. Although we represent just 1% of the U.S. population, our concentrated presence in swing states makes us a crucial bloc for Democrats.