Vice President Kamala Harris met with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, yesterday. This meeting was part of her presidential campaign’s efforts to mend strained relationships with these communities, as frustration grows over the U.S. government’s unwavering support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Arab American and Muslim voters were a crucial part of the coalition that helped elect Joe Biden in 2020. However, with escalating violence in the Middle East and what many see as a failure to push for a ceasefire, these voters are reconsidering their support for the Democratic ticket. This potential shift could be detrimental to Harris, especially in Michigan, a state that was instrumental in securing Biden’s victory in 2020.
Harris’ half-hour meeting with prominent Arab American and Muslim leaders addressed the rising civilian casualties in Gaza, the displacement crisis in Lebanon, and efforts to prevent the conflict from spilling into a wider regional war. A campaign official confirmed that Harris expressed her concern over the humanitarian toll the war has taken on civilians. She reassured the attendees of the administration’s efforts to promote a ceasefire and de-escalate tensions in the region.
One of the participants, Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action—a leading civic organization that recently endorsed Harris—shared that the group voiced their deep disappointment with the U.S. administration’s handling of the ongoing conflict. Alzayat emphasized the urgency of ending the violence, highlighting that the U.S. needs to reassess its policies in the Middle East. “Emgage Action asked Vice President Harris to impress upon President Biden the urgency of bringing an immediate end to the violence in Gaza and Lebanon,” said Alzayat. “She agrees that this war needs to end.”
Ed Gabriel, president of the American Task Force on Lebanon, echoed similar concerns, discussing Lebanon’s ongoing political crisis and the humanitarian catastrophe resulting from the war. Gabriel noted that there was a “good give and take” during the conversation, focusing on the need for a ceasefire and the role the U.S. should play in stabilizing the region. “We heard a lot of compassion on her side. We’ll see what happens,” Gabriel said, adding that the meeting was a “valuable two-sided exchange” and that future discussions would be necessary to ensure progress on the issues.
As Harris and her team make attempts to address the growing dissatisfaction within Arab American and Muslim communities, the political consequences of the U.S. stance on Israel and Palestine are becoming more pronounced. Many voters feel that the Biden administration’s actions fall short of the promises made during the 2020 campaign, particularly around diplomacy and peace efforts in the Middle East. The tension is particularly palpable in Michigan, a state with a significant Arab American population. Community leaders, such as Lebanese American attorney Ali Dagher, have been vocal about their dissatisfaction. Dagher’s comments reflect a broader sentiment within these communities, as many feel that Harris’ refusal to distance herself from Biden’s policies could cost her crucial votes.
“Harris is going to lose Michigan,” Dagher declared. “I will not be voting for Kamala Harris. No one I know will vote for her. I cannot find a single person in the community who supports her.” Jim Zogby, founder of the Arab American Institute, declined to attend the meeting, a move that underscored the growing rift between traditional Democratic supporters and the current administration. Leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement protest campaign, another group of disillusioned Arab Americans, also reported they were not invited to the meeting.
Harris’ meeting in Flint is part of a broader outreach effort by her campaign. Just days earlier, her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, held a virtual meeting with Muslim voters, promising that Muslims would have an equal role in a Harris administration. Similarly, Phil Gordon, Harris’ national security adviser, held a separate meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to a ceasefire in Gaza and diplomacy in Lebanon.
While these efforts suggest an acknowledgment of the discontent brewing among Muslim and Arab voters, many critics argue that the administration’s words have not been matched by sufficient action. The ongoing military aid provided to Israel, they claim, sends a conflicting message to a community that has long advocated for Palestinian rights and an end to Israeli military aggression.
The criticisms of Harris and Biden’s handling of the situation are not limited to community leaders. A poll published this week by the Arab American Institute showed that both Harris and her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, have nearly equal levels of support among Arab Americans. This is a stark contrast to the overwhelming support Biden received from the community in 2020.
Earlier on the same day, Harris made a stop in Redford Township, a suburb of Detroit, where she celebrated the recent labor deal that ended a significant port strike. This event, held at a local fire station, was meant to demonstrate Harris’ strong ties to organized labor, an important voter base in Michigan. The International Association of Fire Fighters, which represents the workers at the station, had recently chosen not to endorse any presidential candidate, leaving Harris without an essential labor backing.
Harris’ appearance with Shawn Fain, the president of the United Auto Workers (UAW), in Flint was another strategic move to solidify her support among Michigan’s working-class voters. The auto industry is one of the state’s most significant economic drivers, and its future is a crucial concern for many voters. Harris emphasized her commitment to the industry, highlighting her plan to ensure that Michigan remains a hub for auto manufacturing.
However, the Trump campaign has seized on Harris’ proposed plan to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, accusing her of jeopardizing tens of thousands of auto jobs in the state. A spokeswoman for the Trump campaign claimed that this policy would put at least 37,000 jobs at risk, a narrative likely to resonate with the state’s manufacturing sector.
With just over a month left until the November 5 election, Kamala Harris faces a critical test in Michigan. The state, which was a key battleground in the 2020 election, could once again determine the outcome of the presidential race. As Arab American and Muslim voters express their frustration, Harris must balance addressing their concerns with maintaining broader support from other key demographic groups, including labor unions and working-class voters.
The meeting in Flint marked an important step in attempting to repair relations with disillusioned voters, but whether it will be enough remains uncertain. Harris’ ability to navigate these complex issues in the coming weeks will likely shape her chances of winning Michigan, and by extension, the presidency.
For many Arab American and Muslim leaders, the clock is ticking. They are calling for action, not just words, and will be closely watching how Harris and her administration handle the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The question that remains is whether these voters, whose support was crucial in 2020, will be motivated to come out for Harris once again—or whether disillusionment will drive them to stay home or consider alternative candidates.
As Vice President Kamala Harris continues her campaign for the presidency, her outreach to Arab American and Muslim voters in Michigan underscores the delicate balance her campaign must strike in addressing the concerns of diverse constituencies. In a state as politically significant as Michigan, every vote counts, and the discontent among Arab American and Muslim communities could have far-reaching consequences for Harris’ electoral prospects. With time running out, the pressure is mounting for her to take meaningful action on both domestic and foreign policy issues that resonate with these voters.
