Arab-Americans in Michigan Frustrated with Harris' Stance on Gaza: "We Can't Support Her"
At Sahara Restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan, the atmosphere buzzes with conversation, the rich aroma of cardamom coffee filling the air. Patrons chat over shawarma and falafel, but their attention frequently drifts to the TVs playing footage of Gaza’s destruction and the recent explosions in Lebanon. The contrast is stark—inside, there’s warmth and familiarity, while outside, the harsh realities of war unfold on screen.
Dearborn, the first Arab-majority city in the U.S., is a hub for a rising movement of voters distancing themselves from the Democratic Party, particularly over the Biden administration’s policies in the Middle East. As a key swing state that Biden won by a slim margin in 2020, Michigan’s Arab-American voters could have a significant influence on the future political landscape, including Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential aspirations.
Uncertainty Among Business Owners
Sam Hammoud, whose family has run the Sahara Restaurant for three decades, says while inflation and taxes have hurt his business, it’s not what is influencing his vote. “What’s happening in our homelands, that’s what matters,” he says. “We need a ceasefire, and there isn’t one. We’ve run out of words.” Like many in Dearborn, Sam is undecided but feels disillusioned with the current administration’s stance on the Middle East.
The Arab-American community has been vocal, warning Democrats for months that their traditional support is not guaranteed in the upcoming election. Many are part of the “Uncommitted Movement,” a group that has grown frustrated with the administration’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Longtime Democrats Turning Away
Soujoud Hamade, a lawyer from a nearby Detroit suburb and the president of Michigan’s Arab American Bar Association, has spent years working to elect Democrats, including President Biden in 2020. However, she has decided to back Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the upcoming election. Hamade’s views reflect a broader shift: a recent poll showed 40% of Michigan’s Muslim voters now support Stein, compared to just 12% for Harris.
Hamade explains the dilemma: “We can’t support someone who’s helping fuel the violence in our homelands.” One particularly troubling moment for her was Harris’ acceptance of an endorsement from former Vice President Dick Cheney, a key architect of the 2003 Iraq invasion. “It’s disheartening. This isn’t the party we stood for,” she says, recalling the Democratic Party’s former stance against war.
Business Owners Weigh Their Options
Dearborn’s bustling streets, lined with cafes and family-owned businesses, are filled with community members who feel directly impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Dr. Maisa Hider-Beidoun, who owns several pharmacies in the area, identifies as a lifelong Democrat but is unsure how to vote this time around. She describes it as a “moral dilemma.”
“We’re good Americans, but our tax dollars are being used to harm our families overseas,” she explains. The community’s frustration reached a peak during Michigan’s Democratic primary, where over 100,000 people declared themselves “uncommitted” as a protest against the administration’s policies in Gaza. Though they’ve requested meetings with the White House, many feel their concerns have been ignored.
No Love for Trump, Either
Despite their discontent with Harris and the Democrats, many Arab-Americans are equally wary of former President Donald Trump, whose rhetoric and policies toward the Middle East they see as even more damaging. The Uncommitted Movement has made clear they do not endorse Trump, accusing him of wanting to “accelerate the killing” in Gaza.
Dr. Mona Mawari, a pharmacist and community leader, says she remains undecided but is wrestling with how to vote in November. “It’s really hard to choose,” she admits. While she acknowledges Harris has shown more empathy in her statements about Gaza than Biden, she adds, “Words without actions won’t get our votes.”
Torn by Conflict
The unrest in Lebanon is adding another layer of anxiety for this community, many of whom have family in the region. Faye Nemer, CEO of the Middle East North American Arab Chamber of Commerce, fled Lebanon as a child due to violence. She now watches the situation in Gaza unfold, thinking of the children, many of whom are living in the same conditions her family endured.
“It’s hard to focus on daily life when you know what’s happening to your loved ones overseas,” says Nemer, whose sister still lives in Lebanon. Though a Democrat for most of her life, Nemer isn’t sure whether she’ll vote for Harris or a third-party candidate.
The 3.5 million Americans of Middle Eastern descent, many concentrated in swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, could play a decisive role in the 2024 election. Dr. Mawari urges her community not to sit out the election, despite their frustrations. “Not voting isn’t a solution,” she says. “It’s important to use your vote to make a difference.”
