In Washington, Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, is calling on Michigan Democrats to cast “uncommitted” votes in the state’s forthcoming Democratic primary. This move is a protest against President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. Tlaib, the sole Palestinian-American in Congress, expressed this view in a video, emphasizing the feeling of neglect and invisibility by the government among her supporters.
The Michigan Democratic Primary is scheduled for February 27. Tlaib, known for her membership in “The Squad” and representing a district that includes parts of Detroit and nearby areas, is standing to encourage a similar voting strategy. This strategy aims to form a voting bloc as a statement against policies that support warfare and destruction, advocating instead for policies that support life.
Dearborn, Michigan, near Detroit, is home to a significant Arab-American community. Many residents there have expressed feelings of abandonment by President Biden due to his support for Israel in the conflict against Hamas. This conflict has resulted in substantial Palestinian civilian casualties. Tlaib has been vocal in demanding the Biden administration to back a cease-fire in Gaza.
In the past, the House of Representatives censured Tlaib for her comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Her use of the slogan “from the river to the sea” was particularly controversial, with supporters of Israel interpreting it as anti-Semitic and a call for the destruction of the state of Israel.
Despite the expected ease of President Biden’s victory in the Michigan primary due to lack of significant Democratic opposition, a substantial “uncommitted” vote could indicate challenges for him in Michigan during the November general election. Michigan is a pivotal state, and Biden‘s potential loss of Arab American voters to liberal third-party candidates or their abstention from voting could be significant.
The “Abandon Biden” movement in Michigan, part of a broader national campaign, is exploring options with third-party candidates, including Jill Stein and Cornel West. Another initiative, “Listen to Michigan,” endorsed by Tlaib, urges Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the primary.
The White House has recognized the seriousness of the backlash against Biden among Arab-Americans. Last week, senior officials met with Arab-American leaders in Michigan, acknowledging mistakes in the administration’s response to the conflict in Gaza and its public discourse about Palestinians during the conflict.
