Arab American Leaders Call for Shift in Harris’s Stance on Israel Policy

During a recent campaign rally in Flint, Michigan, Arab American advocates engaged in a critical discussion with Vice President Kamala Harris, urging her to distance herself from President Joe Biden’s Israel policy and advocate for an end to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Originally scheduled for just ten minutes, the meeting extended to twenty, as leaders expressed their concerns. Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, an organization focused on increasing Muslim American voter participation, reported that Harris expressed her desire for the war to end and promised to do her best to contribute to this effort. However, she did not make any specific commitments.

Alzayat emphasized that Harris needed to clarify how her potential governance would differ from the current administration’s policies, particularly as frustrations mount regarding Harris’s response to the escalating violence in the region, which now includes heightened tensions in Lebanon. Although Harris’s role as vice president limits her ability to shape U.S. foreign policy directly, the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has intensified pressure on her to respond more decisively.

Arab American leaders stressed the urgency of expanding evacuation efforts from Lebanon and providing immediate humanitarian aid to displaced families and U.S. citizens caught in the turmoil. Assad Turfe, a Lebanese American and deputy executive of Wayne County, highlighted that the recently announced $157 million in U.S. humanitarian aid for Lebanon, while insufficient, marked a necessary step forward. He pointed out the stark reality of loss, recounting his own family’s experiences with violence in Lebanon, illustrating the personal stakes involved in these discussions.

Michigan, which Biden narrowly won in the 2020 election, is poised to be a key battleground in the upcoming November elections and has a significant Arab American population. Emgage Action, while endorsing Harris, has also voiced its “strong disappointment” with the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza.

Prominent Democrats, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Harris’s campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, attended the meeting alongside local elected officials and former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco, Edward Gabriel. Attendees expressed a collective desire for Harris to advocate for an end to the conflict, communicate directly with affected communities, and improve assistance for American citizens stranded in Lebanon.

Despite the engagement, some groups, notably the “Uncommitted” movement—formed in opposition to Biden’s Israel policy—were absent from the meeting. This group had previously requested a platform for a Palestinian American speaker at the Democratic convention, a request that was denied. Co-founder Abbas Alawieh noted their exclusion but remarked on the increased pressure on the administration for more engagement.

James Zogby, co-founder of the Arab American Institute, declined an invitation to the meeting due to ongoing frustrations with the campaign’s handling of concerns among Arab American voters. He expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a recent virtual gathering with Harris’s national security advisor, feeling it lacked substance and failed to address pressing issues directly.

The current climate in Michigan, particularly with rising tensions in Lebanon, amplifies the urgency for the Harris campaign to adequately address these concerns. Zogby suggested that the campaign’s approach seemed disconnected from the realities facing voters who prioritize these issues above electoral considerations.

Abed Ayoub, national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, reiterated that his organization has engaged in multiple discussions with both the campaign and the administration, focusing on securing an immediate ceasefire and an end to violence in Palestine and Lebanon. His group boasts a membership of nearly 130,000 active voters.

During a separate event, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz acknowledged the deep pain felt by the community, citing the staggering loss of life and displacement in Gaza. This acknowledgment reflects a broader recognition of the challenges the administration faces in addressing the concerns of Arab Americans.

Throughout her campaign, Harris has faced disruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters, highlighting the ongoing tension surrounding the administration’s policies. As the situation remains dire, advocates like Zogby urge Harris to speak candidly about the issues affecting Arab American voters, expressing hope for her success while advocating for more substantial engagement on these critical matters.