The online daily Raialyoum.com, founded and edited by senior journalist 'Abd Al-Bari Atwan, stated in its November 2, 2016 editorial that the majority of Arabs seem to prefer a Trump victory in the U.S. presidential elections. According to the editorial, this stems not from approval of Trump or disapproval of Clinton, but rather from the Arab's dislike of the U.S., which they regard as responsible for the wars and chaos prevailing in their region. Hence, they hope for the rise of a president who will lead the U.S. to destruction and disintegration.
The editorial also expressed regret that the Arab world is in bad shape and lacks any influence on the U.S. elections, in contrast to the Jewish lobby, and that, as a result, the Arabs and Muslims have been a punching bag for both candidates, who display hostility and contempt towards them.
The following is a translation of the article:[1]
"While no public opinion polls [have been conducted] in the Arab world regarding the U.S. presidential election, the responses of Arabs to the race give the initial impression that a large portion of them prefers a Trump victory. However, this is not due to their love of [Trump] or hatred of his opponent, Hillary Clinton. Rather, it is because they have no sympathy for the U.S. and would like to see Obama replaced by a president who will lead it to collapse and disintegration, out of their belief that [the U.S.] is behind the bloody wars and chaos in the region.
"Republican nominee Donald Trump, who is portrayed as a racist populist, has based the agenda of his campaign on hostility towards Muslims and on the building of a wall on the Mexican border to stem the flow of immigrants. He [also] threatens to deport eight million illegal immigrants [from the U.S.] if elected, and takes a disrespectful approach to women, which might appear closer to Arab tendencies and to the natural inclinations prevalent in most Arab countries, especially the oil rich [Gulf] states, even though many would rather not admit this fact.
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"It seems that Miss Clinton is even more hostile to Arabs and Muslims than Trump, and many believe she will continue the policy adopted by President Obama during his two terms, or that she will break records in the size of financial and military aid awarded to the Israeli occupation state, and will continue to support the bloody policy of [creative] chaos, the actions to shatter [the region], and the sectarian wars currently raging there.
"As a result, the question prevailing in major Arab capitals is not which [candidate] is better or worse for the Arabs, but rather who is the least harmful. Herein lies the major problem that exposes the fragility of the Arabs' situation and their complete lack of influence on the elections in the U.S. or anywhere else. This is clearly reflected in the candidates' positions regarding our region and in the fact that their stances are similar, characterized mainly by hostility, extortion, and contempt [for the Arab world].
"The Jewish lobby staunchly backs Clinton, throws its full financial and political weight behind her, and utilizes its media outlets to support her out of the belief that she support its interests, namely Israel's military and political superiority - and the results and benefits [of such conduct by the Jewish lobby] are known in advance. It is sad that Arabs, who suffer the most from American policy, are completely out of the equation, and have become the 'punching bag' at which the presidential candidates direct the full force of their aggressive punches."
Endnotes:
[1] Raialyoum.com, November 2, 2016.
