In the key swing state of Michigan, Democratic voters of Arab and Middle Eastern descent are expressing concern about Kamala Harris, indicating she will need to regain their trust after President Joe Biden’s handling of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza left them disillusioned.
Dearborn, a city of 110,000 and a cultural center for Arab Americans, could play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of Michigan in the upcoming presidential election. Community members interviewed by AFP said they are open to hearing what Vice President Harris has to say, signaling a shift from the outright hostility many felt toward Biden.
“We are in listening mode right now,” stated Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News.
During her acceptance speech for the Democratic presidential nomination, Harris vowed to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure that Palestinians have their rights to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination. However, her message was met with disappointment by pro-Palestinian delegates who were denied a speaker spot at the convention. The group Muslim Women for Harris-Walz criticized the decision, calling it a “terrible message” and subsequently withdrew their support for the campaign.
Harris, who has committed to speaking out about the suffering of Palestinians, recently met with members of the “Uncommitted” movement, which had opposed Biden during the Democratic primaries. Although she made no firm commitments, leaders of the movement were reportedly impressed by her empathy.
Central to the community’s concerns is Israel’s ten-month military campaign in Gaza, which has devastated the region since the conflict erupted following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Michigan, home to the major automakers Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, has long been a crucial state for presidential candidates. Economic challenges in the 1970s prompted many to leave the state, while conflicts in the Middle East brought new waves of immigrants from Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud highlighted the deep connections the community has with the situation in Gaza, noting that for many residents, the events there involve family and friends.
Dearborn, famous as the birthplace of Henry Ford, resembles many small American cities with its broad streets and strip malls. Yet, it also hosts the Islamic Center of America, the nation’s largest mosque, along with numerous Middle Eastern markets, restaurants, and cafes.
When Siblani started his newspaper in the mid-1980s, the then-mayor ran on a platform addressing the so-called “Arab problem.” But as the community grew and its members advanced into professional roles, their political influence also increased.
Although Arab and Muslim Americans were historically socially conservative and favored George W. Bush in the 2000 election, years of U.S. military actions in the Middle East and heightened law enforcement scrutiny turned them toward the Democratic Party.
In 2018, southeast Michigan elected Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American in Congress, marking a significant milestone. Recently, three Arab-American mayors have been elected in suburbs known for their history of racism.
Dearborn voters, who overwhelmingly supported Biden in 2020 due to anger over Donald Trump’s policies, are now tired of choosing the “lesser of two evils.” They want candidates who will meet their demands, including a permanent ceasefire and an end to U.S. arms sales to Israel.
“I think VP Harris has a window of opportunity,” said Faye Nemer, a community activist and CEO of the MENA American Chamber of Commerce. “She can either continue President Biden’s legacy or set her own agenda.”
Harris has impressed some Arab Americans in Dearborn with her choice of Tim Walz as her running mate. Walz has taken a more conciliatory approach to war opponents, in contrast to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who has been harsher on college protesters.
However, the community’s demands are becoming more urgent.
“We don’t want crumbs anymore,” declared Soujoud Hamade, a business lawyer and long-time Democrat, who vowed to vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein if Harris fails to meet expectations on the campaign trail.