The White House assures that this is a coincidence, but it is difficult to see the execution of the executive order as a coincidence. Joe Biden The agreement signed this Thursday opens the door to sanctions, whenever they come, against Israeli settlers who commit violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Shortly after the signing, the president of the United States boarded Air Force One and departed. MichiganHe held a campaign event in Warren, outside Detroit, to celebrate his recent support from major motor workers union leadership. But Michigan is also Outrage and anger from the Arab-American community for him with the president Unwavering support for Israel With Hamas’ aggressive military response in Gaza to its attacks on October 7, this war has already ended. More than 26 thousand Palestinians were killed in Gaza. And this rejection is something that can have serious consequences. Selection results for democrat.
in free fall
Inside 2020 Biden narrowly won 154,000 votes Out of 5.5 million players, this is the increasingly important state where Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton by just 10,000 votes four years ago. moved near 70 percent of Muslims’ votes. But support for Biden has waned since the start of the latest conflict in Gaza. fallen apart There’s something about this community that happens everywhere, not just in Michigan national level. And the president stopped having fun From 59% approval to just 17%According to a survey conducted in late October by the Arab American Institute.
Biden’s rejection and even abandonment in Michigan, which has more than 200,000 Muslim registered voters and over 300,000 Muslim voters with ancestors in the Middle East or North Africa, is particularly evident in Dearborn, a city of about 100,000 on the outskirts of Detroit. is clearly visible. It is the only country in the United States where Arab Americans are in the majority (54% according to the last census). But it gets wider. And reception to the president This was Thursday, it was extremely cold, iced.
He received the votes of workers at the event in Warren, where Trump won by large margins from Biden in the last two presidential elections. But while he was chatting with workers calling for his campaign in a union hall, he police with anti-riot shields kept some distance 150 pro-Palestinian protesters.
Protests and meetings rejected
Protests have become common not only at demonstrations, where he is sometimes called “genocidal Joe,” but also at Biden campaign events. Last month, his speech at Emanuel Church in Charleston, South Carolina, the scene of a racist massacre in 2015, was interrupted. Call for ceasefire from activists. Days later, they scolded her for her behavior at an event in Virginia in support of reproductive rights and abortion. Children and mothers were killed in Gaza.
Even before he came to Michigan, his campaign was felt. Community disappointment and anger. And when Julie Chávez Rodríguez, the leader of that campaign, traveled to Dearborn last Friday for meetings with leaders of the Arab community, she had to reduce or even shorten her schedule after some guests refused to attend one of those meetings. . Abdullah Hammoud, the city’s first Arab-American and Muslim mayor, is one of those who do not want to meet with him. “This is not the time for electoral politics” he said and explained that campaign discussions should be held “with those who make the policy, not with campaign personnel.”
“The Biden Administration at the highest level, I don’t think you understand how big of a problem this is. District administrator Assad Turfe, who tried to organize the meetings, told the AP: “How sad and angry is the society?”
Biden’s efforts to approach this community are useless right now; However, the White House announced that members of the Biden administration will soon organize trips to Michigan and hold conversations, but did not provide detailed information about who will go or who they will try to meet with. And you breathe in the anger that the state’s governor, also Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, recognized in a televised speech over the weekend. “raw and legitimate emotions People have it in Michigan.
“Leave Biden alone”
A national campaign was launched by pro-Palestinian activists directly appealing to Palestine. “Dump Biden” in November elections. Some, like Khalid Turaani, head of the “Leave Biden” campaign that started in Minnesota and launched in Michigan, vow to “not forget” and recently told CNN: “I don’t think salvation is possible anymore. I won’t vote for him. I won’t vote for him.” Complicity and active participation in the genocide of the Palestinian people “The fact that he is in Gaza disqualifies him from my vote.”
There are also those who hope to use their political weight to steer the president back from his chosen path, but who demand action, especially a decisive stance, not words or gestures. ceasefire call. They also avoid approaches that are perceived to be based on self-interest and choice.
State congressman Alabas Farhat, who did not meet with Biden’s campaign manager, said in a statement: “It is unrealistic to expect political speeches to reaffirm our support for the president. stop the fire “I can really open that door again.” Imad Hamad, director of the American Civil Rights Council in Dearborn, also said there is reluctance in society to do anything other than talk about this issue. “practical steps “This gives the community reasons to rethink.”
Biden’s stance on Israel and Gaza not only undermines support among the Arab-American and Muslim community, it also young voters and black voters. Usamah Andrabi, communications director for the progressive organization Justice Democrats, warned that “minimizing their anger means minimizing everyone else.” Nuclear parts of Biden’s base and the Democratic party election after election helped them get elected.”