Representative Rashida Tlaib, the sole Palestinian-American member of Congress, expressed her backing on Saturday for Michigan Democrats to cast their votes as “uncommitted” in the upcoming presidential primary on Feb. 27.
This move reflects ongoing discontent among Arab Americans and Muslim leaders towards President Joe Biden’s reluctance to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 28,000 due to Israel’s retaliatory assault.
Speaking in Dearborn, a Detroit suburb with a significant Muslim and Arab American population, Tlaib emphasized the importance of creating a voting bloc to advocate against supporting conflicts and destruction.
Dearborn, home to around 110,000 people, has been subject to increased security measures following derogatory comments labeling it as “America’s Jihad Capital” in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed. Abdullah Hammoud, the first Arab American Muslim mayor of Dearborn, highlighted the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric targeting the city.
Many local families have personal connections to Palestine and have experienced losses due to Israel’s actions in the region.
Tlaib’s endorsement of the “Listen to Michigan” campaign marks her as the most prominent Democrat to support the initiative, which aims to gather 10,000 “uncommitted” votes. This effort has garnered support from community organizers, Democratic officials, and former Representative Andy Levin.
Despite backing from organizations like Our Revolution, Senator Bernie Sanders declined to support the campaign, emphasizing his support for President Biden’s re-election.
The campaign underscores the challenges President Biden faces in Michigan, where the Muslim population played a crucial role in his 2020 victory. Biden’s approach to the conflict in Gaza has led to dissatisfaction among local leaders and Democratic voters, despite recent tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Efforts to address concerns with the Biden administration’s stance on Gaza continue, with local leaders advocating for concrete actions to save lives rather than mere messaging adjustments.
