Kamala Harris and Donald Trump appeal to Muslim and Arab American voters in Michigan

Muslim and Arab American voters are important voting blocs in Michigan, and vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump appealed to them on Friday.

Harris discussed the “very difficult” year during her rally in Waterford Township, Michigan, and she reiterated her commitment to aiding in the conclusion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“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.

Her remarks coincide with the passing of Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday during combat in Rafah. Sinwar passed away only a few days ago. Sinwar is credited for masterminding the lethal October 7, 2023, assault on Israel that claimed 1,200 lives.

Harris said that Sinwar’s passing presented a chance to use “diplomacy” to bring the two opposing sides back to the negotiating table in order to free hostages and start a cease-fire.

She said that if elected president, she would “do everything in my power to achieve these goals.”

In an attempt to gain support from Michigan voters before the election, Trump and Harris both made rounds of the state on Friday. Enclaves with sizable concentrations of North African and Arab Americans were among Trump’s targets.

While Muslim Americans in Michigan have historically supported Democratic presidential candidates, new surveys indicate a rift in this allegiance due to worries over the Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza humanitarian situation.

Trump, for his part, is attempting to gain traction with a group that was adversely affected by a travel restriction aimed at Muslim nations that was implemented during his presidency. Since then, he has said that he would bring back the ban and expand it to include Gazan refugees.

While at Hamtramck, Trump emphasized the support he received from Amer Ghalib, the mayor of the city.
Many of the approximately 30,000 citizens of the city are of Middle Eastern or North African descent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The municipal council is made up entirely of Muslims.

“Do you have a little Arab blood in you?” Trump questioned Auto Workers for Trump founder Brian Pannebecker at the event.

Regarding Sinwar, Trump weighed in, telling the media that he “was not a nice guy” and that he believed “Biden is attempting to hold [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] back…In fact, he ought to be doing the exact opposite.”