Gaza Conflict Casts Long Shadow Over Harris’ Campaign in Arab American Communities

As Kamala Harris campaigns for the presidency, a simmering tension over the war in Gaza is casting a long shadow over her efforts to win over Arab American voters in key battleground states like Michigan, The Associated Press reports.

While many in the community traditionally support Democrats, the recent conflict has created a deep divide, leaving some questioning their loyalty to the party.

The Detroit area, with its large concentration of Arab Americans, has become a focal point of this dilemma. Harris’ campaign has been working to reach out to the community, but many Arab Americans feel unable to support her because of the US’s close relationship with Israel and its military actions in Gaza. They see the US as complicit in the conflict, particularly the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.

The situation is further complicated by the return of Donald Trump to the political stage. While many Arab Americans fear a Trump presidency, they also view him as a less ardent supporter of Israel. Trump has secured endorsements from some Muslims in the area, including Democratic mayors, and has touted his role in brokering the Abraham Accords, a peace deal between Israel and several Arab nations.

Assad Turfe, one of the few Arab American elected officials in Michigan to endorse Harris, argues that his community needs a leader who understands their pain and will advocate for them. However, his endorsement has been met with backlash, with some accusing him of supporting atrocities in Gaza and labeling him a traitor.

The complexity of the situation was evident at a recent Harris campaign rally in Ann Arbor, where pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted her speech with chants condemning US support for Israel. Harris, while acknowledging the protesters’ concerns, has yet to propose concrete changes to US policy on Israel or the conflict in Gaza.

The debate highlights a critical challenge for Harris. While she has voiced support for ending the violence and emphasized her commitment to Arab American communities, she has not called for a reduction in US military aid to Israel, a key demand of many in the community.