Vice President Kamala Harris is planning to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, in response to frustration over the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s recent escalations in Lebanon. This meeting is a part of efforts to gain support from the Arab American community, which has a significant population in Michigan, a crucial battleground state for the upcoming November election. Emgage Action, an organization focused on boosting Muslim American voting, endorsed Harris but expressed disappointment with the administration’s stance on Gaza. However, leaders of the “Uncommitted” movement, which opposes the Biden administration’s policies regarding the war in Gaza, were not invited to the meeting with Harris.
James Zogby, a co-founder of the Arab American Institute and a Democratic National Committee member, declined an invitation to meet with Harris due to frustration with what he views as a campaign more focused on optics than addressing issues impacting Arab American voters. Zogby criticized a recent call with Harris’ national security adviser, Phil Gordon, for lacking substance and not addressing the concerns of Arab American voters. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Lebanon has added to the tensions in states like Michigan, where Lebanese Americans are a significant part of the Democratic coalition. Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, stated that there have been numerous meetings with the campaign and administration, and they are focused on ending the violence in Palestine and Lebanon.
The Uncommitted movement, which calls for the cessation of U.S. military support to Israel, has expressed disappointment in Harris and stated that they will not endorse her for the upcoming election. Despite this, they have discouraged support for Donald Trump or third-party candidates in states where they might appear on the ballot. The movement’s co-founder, Abbas Alawieh, emphasized the need for Harris to commit to respecting international humanitarian and U.S. laws and stopping the flow of military weapons to Israel. The Harris campaign has faced disruptions by pro-Palestinian protesters at rallies, with the vice president acknowledging the devastation in Gaza and working towards a ceasefire deal. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, addressed Emgage Action’s summit, expressing concern for the community’s pain and devastation in Gaza.
Zogby stressed the urgency for the Harris campaign to address the concerns of Arab American voters openly and directly, rather than attempting to manage the issue through optics and staged conversations. He emphasized the significance of addressing the conflict in the Middle East and the frustrations of Arab American voters in states like Michigan. Ayoub highlighted the need for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the violence in Palestine and Lebanon, stating that his group has been vocal about these demands to the campaign and administration. The Harris campaign’s attempts to engage with Arab American and Muslim communities, including the upcoming meeting in Michigan, are seen as crucial to gaining support ahead of the November election.
