Presidential Candidate Jill Stein and Butch Ware on Gaza, Ending Endless Wars and Reshaping U.S. Politics

In an exclusive interview with Muslim Viewpoint, Green Party candidates Dr. Jill Stein and her running mate Butch Ware — an anti-Zionist Jewish physician and a Black Muslim historian — discuss their 2024 campaign and the shared values driving their historic ticket

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Sep 04, 2024 03:42 PM CDT

Dr. Jill Stein and Butch Ware represent the Green Party’s historic ticket for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, uniting a Jewish woman and a Black Muslim man in a shared commitment to fight against genocide, endless wars, and climate collapse. Stein, a Harvard-educated physician and environmental health advocate, has dedicated her career to championing causes related to public health, environmental justice, and peace.

Meanwhile, Rudolph “Butch” Ware III, a historian and professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, brings his extensive experience as an activist and scholar focused on empire, colonialism and genocide.

Their campaign, seen as a bold challenge to the political status quo, emphasizes the importance of addressing critical global issues, particularly the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and the need for transformative domestic policies.

How is your campaign progressing, and what feedback are you receiving from voters on the ground? Do you view this as one of the most pivotal elections in recent history? Additionally, can you tell us how many states you’re on the ballot?

Stein: We are currently on the ballot in nearly 40 states, with an additional eight states where voters can write us in, meaning we are effectively on the ballot in all but two states. Unfortunately, our political system often limits voter choices, pushing them towards two parties that many feel have not adequately served the public.

Before the campaign even began, polls showed that a record number of voters wanted more options. A Gallup poll revealed that 63% of voters believe the two major parties are failing to meet the needs of Americans. People are searching for alternatives, and we’ve seen that on the campaign trail.

Today, we are facing unprecedented levels of economic insecurity. Over 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and nearly half are severely stressed, with 50% spending a significant portion of their income on rent. Medical and student debt, along with the struggle to afford basic healthcare, are everyday concerns for many. Meanwhile, our government continues to allocate half of its congressional budget to wars, including the war on Gaza, leaving domestic needs neglected.

The recent massacres in Gaza have only deepened Americans’ frustrations. Many are demanding an end to endless wars and the reallocation of tax dollars to address pressing domestic issues. Despite facing significant obstacles, including legal challenges and attempts to undermine our campaign, the response from the public is clear: they want a fairer future.

What motivated you to join this ticket? Do the policies of the Green Party align with your values, and would you say it feels like a natural fit for you?

Ware: As a practicing Muslim, I never saw myself in politics, and I still don’t think of this as traditional politics. The Green Party isn’t about being politicians — they’re public servants. My decision was influenced by a profound spiritual experience.

I had a conversation with my Lord, and I was shown the Day of Judgment. God asked me, “Where did I ever offer you a weapon that you could use to defend your brothers and sisters in humanity, and you refused it?” Turning down this opportunity would mean refusing a chance to stand for peace and justice.

I had to set aside my books, my students, and my personal interests to stand alongside Dr. Jill Stein, an anti-Zionist Jewish woman committed to redirecting American resources to domestic needs and ending the misuse of tax dollars through foreign wars for companies like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing.

Why was it important for you and the Green Party to have a running mate from the Muslim community at this moment in time?

Stein: We are at a crucial moral juncture, and our campaign’s central goal has been to voice opposition to genocide. From the beginning, it was clear that the escalating crisis in Gaza would be the defining issue of this election. Our campaign is the only one with the reach to challenge the status quo on this front.

We also wanted our ticket to reflect the diverse fabric of the American public, which has been largely overlooked in discussions about war, militarism, and the suffering of marginalized communities.

The partnership between a Jewish woman and a Black Muslim man speaks to a wide swath of the American public affected by genocide, war, and militarism. Together, we represent the communities most impacted by these issues, creating a powerful dynamic to elevate the resistance that’s otherwise underrepresented in this election.

How do you respond to critics who claim your candidacy is being used to attract Muslim voters disillusioned with the mainstream parties?

Ware: I haven’t encountered such accusations directly, but I know they exist. It’s a cynical way of looking at our campaign. This is not a convenient alliance; it’s one based on shared values and principles.

I’ve spent my entire adult life learning from individuals like Steven Fireman, my first PhD advisor and a Jewish anti-Zionist, who taught me about anti-Zionism and its roots in both secular and religious traditions.

Jill Stein’s stance against Zionism is not new to me, and our connection isn’t accidental — it’s deeply rooted in shared commitments.

I grew up learning about the Green Party’s values through my friend Sean Young, whose mother was one of the first Green Party elected officials in Minnesota. This partnership was meant to be, and it’s grounded in our collective resistance to militarism and genocide.

Dr. Stein, what is the Green Party’s stance on immigration, especially given recent developments regarding the legal status of unauthorized immigrants?

Stein: There is an immigration crisis, but it’s one we’ve created through foreign policy failures. The solution is to end regime changes and wars that destabilize regions and force people to flee. Instead of building ineffective walls, we should invest in human infrastructure to process immigrants fairly and efficiently. Historically, immigrants have contributed enormously to our economy, adding $7 trillion over the past decade. We must treat migrants with dignity and offer them the opportunity to become full members of society.

Many Muslims and progressives who traditionally voted Democrat are now considering other options due to the government’s stance on Gaza, raising concerns about splitting the anti-Trump vote. How do you address this?

Ware: According to research by the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, in 2020, 65% of Muslims in key swing states voted for Joe Biden. By January 2024, that number had dropped to just 12%, and even Kamala Harris’s presence hasn’t significantly improved these figures.

Only 5% of Muslims support Trump, while 80% are now leaning towards third-party candidates. The real question isn’t whether this will split the vote but whether it’s time to build something new that truly represents the values of these disillusioned voters.