Arab American voters/ Michigan election/ Harris campaign/ Trump Arab American support/ Gaza policy/ Newslooks/ DEARBORN/ Mich./ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ In the final stretch before Election Day, many Arab Americans, traditionally Democratic voters, face a tough choice due to U.S. support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict. While some endorse Kamala Harris, others consider voting third-party or even for Trump, reflecting deep divisions within the community.
Arab American Voters Weigh Options as Election Day Nears: Quick Look
- Community Concerns: U.S. support for Israel strains Harris’s support among Arab Americans.
- Historic Context: Arab Americans in Michigan helped Biden win in 2020 but feel alienated now.
- Trump Endorsements: Some local Muslim leaders back Trump, drawn to his stance on limiting U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts.
- Harris’s Supporters: Leaders like Assad Turfe endorse Harris to avoid Trump’s policies on Muslim immigration.
Harris Faces Key Challenges in Winning Arab American Vote Amid Gaza Conflict
Deep Look
In the final days before Election Day, Arab American voters in Michigan are weighing difficult choices as U.S. policy on Gaza and long-standing political tensions create deep divides in this influential community. At a Lebanese restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan, Kamala Harris’s campaign representatives met with Arab American leaders, many of whom voiced frustration over the U.S. government’s stance on the Gaza conflict, which has driven some voters to consider third-party options or even former President Donald Trump.
Nabih H. Ayad, chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League, voiced the community’s frustration with the Biden-Harris administration, especially as Gaza’s health ministry reports over 43,000 Palestinian casualties. Ayad said, “The one line we can’t cross is genocide,” underscoring a sentiment that resonates among many voters who traditionally support Democratic candidates.
Despite such concerns, a significant number of Arab Americans in Michigan remain conflicted. Some see Trump as an unacceptable alternative due to his prior travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries and his restrictive immigration policies. Others, however, are drawn to his recent rhetoric about ending “endless wars” and his foreign policy, which saw the Abraham Accords strengthen relations between Israel and several Arab countries.
Divided Opinions and Alternative Options
Four years ago, Biden won Dearborn by a 3-to-1 margin, where Arab Americans make up nearly half of the 110,000 residents. Now, many feel disillusioned. At a recent Harris campaign rally in Ann Arbor, supporters and protesters gathered, with some pro-Palestinian attendees chanting against U.S. support for Israel’s military actions. Harris’s response that she “hears” their concerns left many undecided voters feeling uncertain about her stance.
California Representative Ro Khanna, who organized the recent meeting between Harris’s representatives and local Arab American leaders, noted the split. “There are those who will vote for Harris, recognizing that they could get a seat at the table,” Khanna said. However, he acknowledged that some may instead support third-party candidate Jill Stein, abstain, or, in a smaller subset, vote for Trump.
Trump’s Gains Among Some Muslim Voters
Trump has attracted support from a small but significant segment of Muslim leaders in Michigan, including two Democratic mayors representing cities with large Arab American populations. At a rally in metro Detroit over the weekend, Trump hosted local Muslim community members, highlighting his commitment to avoid extended U.S. military engagements abroad. He also contrasted his stance with Harris’s embrace of conservative former Republican Representative Liz Cheney, whose father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, is associated with the Iraq War.
Still, prominent Arab American leaders caution against viewing Trump’s recent endorsements as reflective of broader community sentiment. Despite the endorsements, many remember Trump’s controversial “Muslim ban” and believe his foreign policy could exacerbate regional conflicts. Some point to Trump’s own comments about providing Israel with increased military support if re-elected, which could deepen regional tensions.
Arab Americans Split on Loyalty to Harris
Assad Turfe, deputy executive of Wayne County and one of Michigan’s few Arab American leaders endorsing Harris, has experienced both political and personal consequences due to his decision. Turfe, who initially supported the “uncommitted” movement among Democrats frustrated with Biden, ultimately endorsed Harris to avoid Trump’s policies, which he says reopened “old wounds” for the Arab American community, particularly following 9/11.
Turfe recounted his experience in 2005 when immigration officials detained his wife due to a legal citizenship discrepancy, and the loss of family members during the 2006 Lebanon-Israel conflict. He feels Harris is the better choice to address his community’s concerns, saying, “She felt my pain.” However, his endorsement has sparked backlash, with social media users calling him a “traitor” and photoshopped images circulating that criticize his support for Harris as an endorsement of Gaza violence.
Other community members, like Dearborn resident Suehaila Amen, have made up their minds to abstain or vote third-party, expressing frustration with Harris’s limited response to the Gaza conflict. “If she loses, it’s by her own doing, by her own hand, and she’ll deserve it,” said Amen, a lifelong Democrat who spent years in Lebanon.
Harris Appeals to Arab American Voters
Harris has sought to address the community’s concerns, mentioning the impact of the Gaza conflict in recent speeches in Detroit suburbs. While she voiced empathy for the loss of life in Gaza and Lebanon, she stopped short of announcing any change in U.S. policy or military support for Israel. At a recent rally in Oakland County, Harris expressed pride in her support from leaders like Turfe and emphasized her commitment to rebuilding U.S. infrastructure and fostering community dialogue.
Congressman Khanna has been a key liaison between Harris and Arab American leaders in Michigan, receiving recognition from the Arab American Civil Rights League for his advocacy. “If Trump is elected, people like me won’t be in any of the rooms,” Khanna said, explaining his belief that Harris offers the best chance to advocate for Arab American interests within the White House.
This approach resonates with voters like Mike Musheinesh, a Palestinian American and business owner who sees the potential for a voice in a Harris administration. Despite his concerns, Musheinesh said, “If we want a seat at the table, we need to help her over the finish line.”
A Fractured but Influential Voting Bloc
Arab Americans in Michigan are a key demographic for Harris’s electoral success, especially as Democrats seek to maintain support in swing states. The community’s divided stance on the Gaza conflict and its broader implications illustrate the complex decision-making process facing many Arab American voters as they balance issues of foreign policy, personal values, and political pragmatism in the 2024 election.
