Months of meetings and phone calls between pro-Palestinian activists and the Harris campaign have fallen into an effective impasse.
But Harris and her team have still made communication with Arab American leaders a priority.
“They are listening and we are talking,” said Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, who met with Chavez Rodriguez.
The Uncommitted National Movement has also requested a speaking slot at the convention for a doctor who has worked on the frontlines in Gaza, along with a leader of the movement.
But any apparent political opportunity for Trump in the Arab American community or the “uncommitted” movement may be limited by his past remarks and policies.
GRAVEBORN, Mich. Only 36 delegates, out of the thousands who are anticipated to attend the Democratic National Convention on Monday, will be part of the “uncommitted” movement, which was spurred by discontent with President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
But the impact of that small core is enormous.
fury over U. S. Support for Israel’s Gaza offensive could create negative publicity for convention organizers, as loud demonstrations are anticipated both outside and inside the Chicago arena where Harris will accept the nomination on Thursday.
In an attempt to address criticism in important swing states like Michigan, which has a sizable Arab American population, top Democrats have spent weeks meeting with “uncommitted” voters and their allies. One such meeting, which was not previously publicized, involved Vice President Kamala Harris and the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan.
Pro-Palestinian activists and the Harris campaign have reached a deadlock after months of phone calls and meetings. The activists want Harris to support both a long-term cease-fire and an arms embargo against Israel. Harris rejected an arms embargo but backed Biden’s cease-fire negotiations.
One of Michigan’s two “uncommitted” delegates, Rima Mohammad, stated that she views the convention as an opportunity to discuss the issues facing their movement with the party hierarchy.
“It is an avenue for demonstrators outside to express their annoyance with the party,” she told reporters.
The leading Arab American mayor meets with the Democratic nominee.
After Biden resigned and Harris took over, there are still concerns about the influence that “uncommitted” voters have. Concerns regarding voter apathy in important areas, like Detroit’s sizable Black population, seem to have subsided as Democrats have witnessed a notable spike in enthusiasm for Harris’ campaign.
However, Harris and her group have continued to place a high premium on speaking with Arab American leaders.
Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud, the 34-year-old mayor of Dearborn, a Detroit suburb with the highest concentration of Arab Americans of any American city, last week while on a campaign trip to Michigan. A person speaking under anonymity who was not authorized to discuss the meeting publicly revealed its details.
The meeting was centered around Harris’ possible policy, if elected, regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the person with knowledge of the discussions, who did not disclose any specifics. Hammoud said that he would not comment.
In a statement, her campaign stated that Vice President Harris “supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and for the release of hostages.”. As she has done throughout her vice presidency, she will keep meeting with representatives of the Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Israeli communities. “.
Leaders of the Arab American community and the “uncommitted” movement in metro Detroit met separately one-on-one on Thursday with Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the campaign manager.
Publisher of The Arab American News Osama Siblani met with Chavez Rodriguez and said, “We are talking, and they are listening.”. However, without public remarks from Harris, none of us can win votes in the community. She can garner support by saying and acting morally; she doesn’t need our help. “.
Siblani claims that Chavez Rodriguez concurred that “the killing has to stop.”. Siblani said he pressed, “How? There is no plan,” in response. “.
Michigan’s Democratic Chair, Lavora Barnes, declared that the party will “keep working toward our goal of uniting to defeat Republicans up and down the ballot and Donald Trump.”. “.
According to a statement from Barnes, “We want to make sure that everyone in the Michigan Democratic Party has a seat at the table, which is why we are committed to continuing these conversations with community leaders, activists, and organizations.”.
No deal on an embargo on weapons.
A moratorium on the use of U.S. military power has been proposed by some left-leaning Democrats. S. The platform of policy goals that will be approved during the convention next week includes Israeli-made weapons. However, party officials’ draft platform, which they made public earlier this summer, does not contain such language, and it is improbable that anyone connected to Harris’ campaign would support its inclusion.
Along with a leader of the movement, the Uncommitted National Movement has also requested a speaking slot for a doctor who has worked on the frontlines in Gaza during the convention. Additionally, according to Abbas Alawieh, another “uncommitted” delegate from Michigan and one of the movement’s founders, they have requested a meeting with Harris “to discuss updating the Gaza policy in hopes of stopping the flow of unconditional weapons and bombs” to Israel.
Alawieh and Layla Elabed, the movement’s co-founders, had a quick meeting with the vice president prior to a Harris rally last week, not far from Detroit. They urged Harris to back an embargo on the transfer of weapons to Israel and asked for a formal meeting with her. They claimed that Harris appeared receptive to the notion of getting together.
But Harris’ national security advisor, Phil Gordon, reiterated that she opposes an arms embargo not long after the meeting’s details were made public. Alawieh stated on Wednesday that the group has not heard back from the DNC or Harris’s team in regards to their requests made in advance of the convention.
“I hope she doesn’t pass up the chance to bring the party together,” Alawieh remarked.
The Trump campaign keeps reaching out.
Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump’s youngest daughter and a prominent figure in his outreach to Arab Americans, was meeting with different community groups this week in the Detroit metropolitan area. Boulos and Arab Americans for Trump chair Bishara Bahbah have visited Michigan frequently as part of their outreach.
Their pitch, according to Bahbah, emphasizes the state of affairs in Gaza under Biden’s leadership and a pledge from Trump’s team to offer the community a voice in decision-making should he win.
“The Trump circle, which is not affiliated with the campaign, has informed us that we will receive a seat at the table and the opportunity to have our voices heard in exchange for our votes,” stated Bahbah.
However, Trump’s prior statements and actions may limit any apparent political opportunity he may have in the Arab American community or the “uncommitted” movement.
Trump’s ban on immigration from several countries with a majority of Muslims during his presidency, as well as comments he made that they found offensive, continue to offend many Arabs. Additionally, Biden has come under fire from Trump for not supporting Israel with enough vigor.
At a Thursday speech to a group of Jewish supporters, Trump called the anticipated Chicago protesters antisemitic and used an Arabic phrase that Muslims occasionally use to denote conflict or battle.
He declared, “Under Trump, there will be no jihad coming to America.”.
Though Bahbah admits that his and Boulos’ approach aims to prevent voters from voting for Harris rather than persuading them to support Trump.
“It’s better if they stay at home and don’t vote for Trump,” Bahbah declared.
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