Osama Siblani, the publisher of the Arab American News in Dearborn, Michigan, has found his phone constantly ringing following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from reelection and his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic presidential nomination. Both major political parties are now reaching out to Siblani to inquire if Harris can regain the support of the large Muslim population in metro Detroit. Siblani’s response has been that they are currently in a listening phase.
Harris, who is now vying for the Democratic nomination after Biden’s departure, is swiftly working towards convincing Arab American voters in Michigan that she is a candidate they can rally behind. Community leaders have expressed their willingness to engage, as they have felt disappointed with the lack of substantial outcomes following months of outreach from Biden’s administration.
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud believes there is an opportunity for Harris to unite the coalition that helped bring Biden into office four years ago. Arab American leaders like Hammoud and Siblani are eager to see Harris demonstrate her commitment to peace in the Middle East without unconditionally supporting Israel.
However, Harris must navigate carefully to avoid publicly diverging from Biden’s stance on the Gaza conflict, where his administration has been working behind the scenes for a ceasefire. The internal divisions within the Democratic party were evident during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, with some Democrats supporting the visit and others protesting it.
Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian American in Congress, raised a sign calling Netanyahu a “war criminal” during his address to Congress, while Harris chose not to attend. Some Arab American leaders interpret her absence as a gesture of goodwill towards them, recognizing her duties as vice president.
The Arab American community in Michigan, with its significant electoral influence in swing states like Michigan, is mobilizing for their voices to be heard regarding U.S. policies in the Middle East. These efforts include advocating for an arms embargo on Israel and a lasting ceasefire.
On a different front, former President Donald Trump and his campaign are making efforts to appeal to Arab American voters by highlighting his purported support for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Despite this, Trump’s history of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies may limit his appeal to Arab American voters.
The Arab American community is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming elections, with a vigilance towards candidates’ stances on issues like the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The community’s efforts to ensure their voices are heard are expected to continue leading up to the national conventions later this year.
