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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.
