Harris meets Arab American leaders in Michigan among tensions over US-Israel policy.
Redford Township, Michigan Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Muslim and Arab American leaders in Michigan as her campaign aims to allay growing resentment among voters over US support for military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Held in Flint, the conference is part of continuous attempts to win back the support of these important voting blocs, many of which supported President Joe Biden in 2020 but have lately voiced great dissatisfaction with the foreign policies of the government.
Two sources acquainted with the conference say Harris visited with organisations including Emgage Action, the American Task Force on Lebanon, and long-time personal friends. Hala Hijazi, a personal friend of Harris who has lost several family members in the continuing fighting in Gaza, was one prominent participant.
Harris is in a close run against Republican contender Donald Trump, and polling indicates she and Trump have almost similar support among Arab Americans. This outreach is especially important for her. This is quite different from 2020, when Muslims and Arabs mostly backed Biden.
While representatives from the Uncommitted National Movement, a protest campaign against the Democratic Party's handling of Middle East affairs, were not invited to meet with Harris, Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, turned down the offer.
Harris allegedly spoke on the tensions in Gaza and Lebanon, expressing worry over displacement and human losses. Still, numerous participants expressed dismay at the way the government handled the incident. Emgage Action CEO Wa'el Alzayat encouraged Harris to advocate for a reset of US policy in the area and push President Biden for an instantaneous stop to the bloodshed.
As Israel's military operation in Gaza intensues, the Harris campaign has come under increasing scrutiny for not distancing itself from Biden's attitude to the crisis. Many Arab American voters in Michigan, a pivotal swing state, have been enraged over ongoing US military support of Israel. Prominent Lebanese American attorney Ali Dagher said simply, "Harris is going to lose Michigan," citing general community disenchantment.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, vice presidential running mate for Harris, underlined during a recent virtual town hall that Muslims will have an equal part in a Harris government, trying to reassure Muslim voters. Earlier in the week, Harris's national security adviser, Phil Gordon, also had virtual meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders repeating the government's support of a truce in Gaza and diplomatic initiatives in Lebanon.
Notwithstanding these initiatives, the mounting discontent among Michigan Arab American voters calls to complicate Harris's road to success. Apart from foreign policy issues, the vice president is also facing attack from the Trump campaign on her position on the Michigan automotive sector. Appearing with Flint's United Auto Workers union leaders, Harris promised industrial support, but her opponent argues her ideas might endanger tens of thousands of jobs.
With both campaigns vying to win over undecided voters in this pivotal battleground state, the fight for Michigan — and for the support of its varied population — is getting more intense as the November 5 election draws near.
