Vice President Kamala Harris is set to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Flint, Michigan, as tensions rise over Israel’s recent military actions in Lebanon. This meeting is part of the Harris campaign’s efforts to strengthen ties with the community during the ongoing conflict, which has intensified since the Israel-Hamas war began and now involves Iranian missile strikes and activities by Iranian-backed groups.
Michigan, crucial for the upcoming November elections, has a significant Arab American population, making it a focal point for the Harris campaign. Recently, the organization Emgage Action, dedicated to increasing Muslim American voter participation, endorsed Harris but also expressed disappointment with the Biden administration’s policies regarding Gaza. Leaders from Emgage Action are expected to attend the Flint meeting.
CNN reached out to the Harris campaign for details about the meeting, which notably did not include representatives from the “Uncommitted” movement. This group emerged during the Democratic primaries in response to dissatisfaction with the administration’s stance on Gaza. Although some leaders from this movement previously interacted with Harris, they have since announced they will not endorse her campaign.
Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the Uncommitted movement, confirmed that his group was not invited to the meeting with Harris. He expressed hope that the vice president would make a firm commitment to uphold international humanitarian law and cease military support for Israel, which he believes contributes to ongoing violence.
James Zogby, a prominent figure in the Arab American Institute and longtime Democratic National Committee member, declined to attend the meeting, citing frustration over what he perceives as the campaign’s focus on public relations rather than addressing the community’s concerns. He criticized a recent call with Harris’s national security adviser, feeling it failed to produce meaningful dialogue.
Zogby remarked on the urgency of the situation, especially with the escalation in Lebanon, saying the campaign is unprepared to handle the gravity of the issue. “With Lebanon in flames, they’ve got a bigger job. And I don’t think they’re ready to handle it,” he stated, highlighting the disconnection between the campaign’s efforts and the community’s pressing concerns.
Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, emphasized that while the campaign has engaged with his organization, there is still a strong demand for a ceasefire and an end to violence in Palestine and Lebanon. His group represents nearly 130,000 voters, with 7,500 located in Michigan.
At a recent event, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who is Harris’s running mate, addressed the concerns of the community at Emgage Action’s summit, acknowledging the profound pain caused by the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that the devastation in Gaza, where tens of thousands have died, is a constant concern for both Harris and himself.
Harris has faced interruptions at her campaign rallies from pro-Palestinian protesters. In response, she has voiced the administration’s commitment to pursuing a ceasefire. However, critics like Zogby are urging the campaign to be more transparent about their stance on the issues impacting Arab and Muslim American communities.
Zogby expressed a deep desire for Harris to succeed but stressed the need for the campaign to authentically engage with the pressing issues that matter most to voters. “They have to say something about the issue that’s on people’s minds,” he said, urging the campaign to step beyond its current communication strategies.
