Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Harris, Trump jostle for Arab American votes in Michigan

POSTED ON October 19, 2024 •   GLOBAL NEWS      BY Benedicta Bassey
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump/ Photo credit: UGC

As the race for the presidential seat in United State draws near, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are vying for Arab American support in Michigan despite Middle East tensions.

According to Harris, it was time to “end the suffering” in the Middle East.

Donald Trump also visited one of the nation’s only Muslim-majority cities to contende for a small but pivotal bloc of Arab American voters in swing-state Michigan.

While referencing on Israel’s fight against Hamas and Hezbollah, Harris said, “This year has been very difficult, given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon.”

She said the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar “can and must be a turning point.”

“Everyone must seize this opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza, bring the hostages home and end the suffering once and for all,” she said.

Trump, on the other hand said, he didn’t think the Arab American community would vote for Harris “because she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”

Michigan is one of three “blue wall” states that, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, will help decide the election on Nov. 5.

Diverse voting blocs are key to winning virtually any swing state, but Michigan is unique with its significant Arab American population, which has been deeply frustrated by the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Trump, who instituted a travel ban targeting Muslim countries while in office and has vowed to expand the ban to include refugees from Gaza if elected again, is trying to capitalise on the community’s frustration with the Democratic administration, despite his well-documented history of hostile rhetoric and policies.

The Republican nominee visited a new campaign office in Hamtramck, one of the nation’s only Muslim-majority cities, and was joined there by Mayor Amer Ghalib, a Democrat who has endorsed Trump.

Meanwhile, three city council members in the same town have endorsed Harris.

“His visit today is to show respect and appreciation to our community,” said Ghalib, who presented Trump with a framed certificate of appreciation.

Trump said, “It’s an honour. I’ve got a lot of endorsements, Arab Americans, from a lot of people.”

Trump has held 15 separate events in Michigan dating back to April, when Biden was still the presumed Democratic nominee.

Harris will have visited Michigan 11 times since she became the nominee, according to AP tracking of the campaigns’ public events.

Trump affirmed that he would end efforts to encourage Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restrain military operations that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Harris highlighted her support for the Arab American community as well.

On Friday, 52 Lebanese Americans endorsed Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying in a letter that the voice of their community “will be heard” under the ticket’s leadership.

The letter reiterated calls for a cease-fire, and it cited a recent decision by the Department of Homeland Security to extend temporary legal status to Lebanese citizens in the US.

Both Trump and Harris also made a push for union workers and Black voters as they worked every angle canvassing for support.

READ ALSO
UK Govt. Bans Caregiver Jobs Major Changes for Nigerian Applicants
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 3, 2025 0

Nigerians looking to move to the United Kingdom (UK) for better opportunities through caregiver job...

READ ALSO
ECOWAS Pushes for Legal Framework to Boost AI Development in West Africa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 1, 2025 0

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima, has emphasized the need for a robust legal fra...

READ ALSO
Canada Tightens PGWP Eligibility, New Fields of Study Added, Others Removed
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 29, 2025 0

Canadian authorities have made it more difficult for international students to qualify for post-grad...

READ ALSO
France to Enforce Nationwide Smoking Ban in Public Outdoor Spaces
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 28, 2025 0

Starting this Sunday, smoking will be banned on beaches, in public parks, gardens, bus shelters, and...

READ ALSO
Africa Must Adapt Governance for True Progress- Obasanjo
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged a reassessment of governance...

READ ALSO
Trump Announces Iran-Israel Ceasefire Deal, Tehran Denies Formal Agreement
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Iran and Israel have agreed to a “comple...

READ ALSO
NATO Warns Iran Against Nuclear Weapon Development Amid Rising Tensions
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 24, 2025 0

In a renewed effort to curb escalating violence in the Middle East, the North Atlantic Treaty Organi...

READ ALSO
Qatar Closes Airspace After Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Doha
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 23, 2025 0

In a swift move to safeguard lives and property, the government of Qatar has closed its airspace fol...

OUR CHANNELS:

Police Arrest Six After Abuja Market Killing
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

At least six suspects connected to the killing that led to unrest at Gosa Market on Airport Road in...


Dengue Fever Outbreak, 86 Cases Confirmed
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria - The Ministry of Health in Edo State reported on Friday that there is an outbreak of d...


Former Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Charged with Multiple Sexual Offences
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

Former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been formally charged with several sexual offences by th...


Federal High Court Orders Reinstatement of  Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Calls Suspension "Excessive"
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 4, 2025 0

A Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Friday that the Nigerian Senate exceeded its authority by sus...


UK Govt. Bans Caregiver Jobs Major Changes for Nigerian Applicants
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

Nigerians looking to move to the United Kingdom (UK) for better opportunities through caregiver job...


Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Dies Days After Wedding
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

The forward for Liverpool and the Portugal national team, Diogo Jota, has tragically died at the age...


EFCC Nabs 18 Young Men in Major Internet Fraud Bust
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

In its ongoing campaign against illicit activities, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EF...


Nigeria Aims to Eliminate Routine Flaring by 2030 and Cut Methane Emissions by 60% by 2031
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 6, 2025 0

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has announced that its gas-focused transition...


Nigeria's Civil Service Faces Redundancy Due to Obsolete Skills
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

The Federal Civil Service Commission has stated that the primary issue plaguing the civil service is...


2027 Election: Aisha Yesufu Urges ADC to Prioritize Youth,Women in Leadership
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara July 5, 2025 0

Socio-political activist Aisha Yesufu has expressed concerns regarding the makeup of the recently fo...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu