International Teenagers Review the Election

Americans were not the only ones tuning in to the election this year.  Many international families tuned in to the polls and kept track of the statisctics and gave us their opinion on the popular event.

Did you follow the U.S. election? Did most people in your country (or your community) follow the U.S. election?

“Yes I did follow the American election. I live in Israel, one of the best allies of U.S. so the American election is so interesting and people here in general   followed the election,” said 48-year-old Shadi Ghantous.

What did you think about the candidates and the election?

“I think that the American people had to choice between two bad candidates,” said Ghantous. “Trump has a bad back ground and history with women, his lays and his racist attitude against Muslims and immigrants. Clinton has a very extreme attitude in her foreign policy especially here in Middle East. Like the war in Serya and Irak. Both of them support Israel in the Palestinian issue.”

“I would have preferred if there were more educated,  experienced candidates, people who care more about peace,  unity and making the world a better place to live in. I think there was more excitement and interactions with these elections much more than the previous ones.  Besides I think there was some manipulation in the elections,  it wasn’t 100% clean,” said Maya Mozalbat, also from Israel.

“The elections were unusual compared to previous American ones,” said Yara Adel from Jordan.

What did you think about the outcome of the election?

“I think the outcome was very unexpected and shocking,” said 22-year-old Adel. “I followed the elections through media and social networks and thought that Hillary was the only rational option between two but results showed that what Americans want is different than what we read ,saw or heard.”

“I was surprised, even shocked, about the outcome of the election because I, like many other people here, thought and believed that the American people are intelligent enough and have that heritage of values so they will not elect a man like trump as president,” said Ghantous. “On the other way Trump seems to have a better foreign policy.”

How do you think the outcome will affect foreign relations?

“I think trump has very unpredictable actions in general but he seems to have a new perspective of issues and that might be what the world needs at the moment… Finally , I have faith in American people and hope their new president will be part of the world’s efforts towards understanding and peace,” said Adel.

“I think it is too early to judge him but we can see and hear the negative and the reactions all over the world especially by the governments. Here in ower region I think he will bring an end for the war in Irak and Serya but he will not bring an end for the Palestinian people,” said Ghantous. “I think also his reaction ship with Europe will not be the same it will be a cool relationship and he will be in confrontation with countries here in the Middle East and Latin America both political and economical reasons.”

“I believe that the Israeli – American relationships are very important for both countries,” said Mozalbat, “since both of them were supportive to each other financially and politically. So, the results may affect my country positively or negatively depending on how the new president will act,  his orientations and the calls he’s making.”