Pro-Palestinian ‘indecisive’ movement deadlocked with top Democrats

Dearborn, Mich. (AP) — Among the thousands of delegates expected to gather Monday at the Democratic National Convention, just 36 will belong to “Uncertain” movement Dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.

But that little core is there Excessive influence.

Anger over US support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza could create unpleasant images for conference organizers, with strong protests expected outside and possible Inside the Chicago Arena Harris will accept the nomination on Thursday.

There are top Democrats Weeks passed The meeting with “undecided” voters and their allies — including a previously unannounced sit-down between Vice President Kamala Harris and the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan — is an attempt to respond to criticism in key swing states like Michigan, which has a significant Arab-American population.

Months of meetings and phone calls between pro-Palestinian activists and the Harris campaign ended in a productive stalemate. Activists want Harris to ratify an arms embargo and permanent cease-fire on Israel. Harris supported Biden’s negotiations for a ceasefire, but rejected an arms embargo.

Reema Mohammed, one of two “undecided” delegates from Michigan, said she sees the convention as an opportunity to share her movement’s concerns with party leadership.

“This is a way for the protesters outside to share their frustration with the party,” he said.

Democratic candidate meets prominent Arab American mayor

With Biden stepping aside and Harris taking his place, there are questions about the leverage held by “undecided” voters. Democrats have seen something remarkable A surge of excitement Concerns about voter apathy seem to have subsided in key areas such as Harris’s campaign and Detroit’s large black population.

But Harris and his team still make communication with Arab American leaders a priority.

During a campaign Trip to Michigan Last week, Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud, the 34-year-old mayor of Dearborn, a Detroit suburb with the largest concentration of Arab Americans of any city in the United States. The meeting was released by a person who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The person familiar with the meeting did not provide specifics, but said the focus would be on Harris’ potential policy on the Israel-Hamas conflict if elected. Hammoud declined to comment.

“Vice President Harris supports agreements for a permanent ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza,” his campaign said in a statement. “He will continue to meet with the leaders of the Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish communities, as he has in his vice presidency.”

Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez held separate one-on-one meetings Thursday with leaders of the Arab American community and the “noncommittal” movement in metro Detroit.

“They listen, we talk,” said Osama Siplani, publisher of The Arab American News, who met with Chávez Rodriguez. “But without Harris’ public statements none of us can get votes in the community. She doesn’t need us; She can win votes by saying and doing the right thing.

According to Ciplani, Chavez Rodriguez agreed that “the killing must stop.” In response, Siplani insisted: “How? There is no plan,” he said.

Lavora Barnes, chairwoman of the Michigan Democratic Party, said the party “will continue to work toward our goal of defeating Donald Trump and the Republicans.”

“We are committed to continuing these conversations with community leaders, activists and organizations because we want to make sure everyone in the Michigan Democratic Party has a seat at the table,” Barnes said in a statement.

No agreement on arms embargo

Some on the Democratic left have called for a ban on the use of US-made weapons by Israel in a platform of policy goals to be approved during next week’s convention. But such language was not included among party executives in a draft platform released earlier this summer, and those close to Harris’ campaign are unlikely to approve its inclusion.

The Noncommittal National Movement has also requested a speaking slot at the conference for a doctor who worked on the front lines in Gaza alongside the movement’s leader. Abbas Alawi, another “undecided” delegate from Michigan and one of the movement’s founders, said they had asked for a meeting with Harris to “discuss improving the Gaza policy” in hopes of ending the unconditional flow of arms and bombs to Israel. .

The movement’s co-founders, Alavi and Laila Elabed, met briefly with the vice president before a Harris rally outside Detroit last week. They demanded a formal meeting with Harris and urged him to support an embargo on arms exports to Israel. To them, Harris seemed open to the idea of ​​meeting.

However, shortly after news of the meeting became public, Bill Gordon, Harris’s national security adviser, reaffirmed that he did not support an arms embargo. Allawi noted Wednesday that the group had received no response from the Harris group or the DNC regarding their requests ahead of the convention.

“I hope he will not miss the opportunity to unite the party,” Alavi said.

The Trump campaign continues to hit its stride

Elsewhere in metro Detroit this week, Massad Poulos, father-in-law of Trump’s youngest daughter and now his boss Arab American OutreachHe was holding meetings with various community groups. Poulos has frequently visited Michigan with Arab Americans for Trump Chair Bishara Baba.

According to Bahba, their pitch highlights the situation in Gaza under Biden’s administration and Trump’s team’s promise to give the community a seat at the table if he wins.

“We were told by the Trump circle, which was not part of the campaign, that in exchange for our votes, we would get a seat at the table and a voice to be heard,” Bahba said.

But Trump’s apparent political opportunities in the Arab American community, or in the “non-committal” movement, may be limited by his past views and policies.

Many Arabs are angered by Trump’s ban, while in office Immigration from many Muslim-majority countries As well as their insulting comments. Trump has also criticized Biden for not being a strong enough supporter of Israel.