Bill Clinton faces backlash for saying 'Israelis were in Holy Land first'

Former US president also remarked Israel "forced” to inflict civilian casualties

Former US President Bill Clinton has sparked criticism among Muslim and Arab American communities following remarks defending Israel’s military actions in Gaza and suggesting that Israelis were in the Holy Land before Palestinians. 

Speaking at a Michigan rally for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Clinton’s statements have intensified discontent within these communities, whose support Democrats are vying for in the upcoming November 5 election.

At the event, Clinton addressed the ongoing Gaza conflict, asserting that Israel has been “forced” to inflict civilian casualties, which he attributed to Hamas’s alleged use of civilian shields. “Hamas makes sure that they’re shielded,” Clinton said, adding, “They’ll force you to kill civilians if you want to defend yourself.”

He later expressed a desire for a ceasefire but reiterated his stance on Israel's actions: “I’m going to do everything I can to convince people they cannot murder their way out of this, either side.”

Clinton further stoked controversy with a statement asserting Israel’s historical claim to the Holy Land, commenting, “Israelis were there first, before [the Palestinian] faith existed,” a reference some viewed as disregarding the experiences of Palestinians displaced in 1948.

Prominent Arab and Muslim American leaders were quick to condemn Clinton’s remarks, accusing him of undermining efforts to address Palestinian concerns. 
Yousef Munayyer, director of the Palestine/Israel program at the Arab Center Washington DC, criticised Clinton’s comments on social media, saying, “Hard to think of a more counterproductive way to send this message.”

Robert S McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, issued a statement condemning Clinton’s comments, calling them “as insulting as they were Islamophobic.”

This latest episode has compounded frustrations within the Arab American community over US policy on Gaza. Many Arab Americans, traditionally Democratic voters, are now reconsidering their support due to the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza, which they feel has shown an unwavering alignment with Israel. 

A recent poll indicates that Arab American support is increasingly shifting toward Republican candidate Donald Trump over Harris, particularly in key swing states like Michigan. Clinton’s statements underscore broader challenges the Democratic Party faces in securing Arab and Muslim American votes. 

Abdullah Hammoud, mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, the first US city with an Arab-majority population, criticised Democratic leaders’ approach to his community, saying on social media, “Stop sending surrogates who have no respect or regard for this community. You’re only inflicting more damage.”

Democratic leaders have largely focused campaign messaging on warning of a potential Trump return, rather than taking a strong stance on Middle Eastern conflicts. This approach has led to accusations of being “tone-deaf” regarding Palestinian issues, which could prove a decisive factor in Michigan’s tight race.