MichiganThe state’s top Arab and Muslim elected official said Friday that the White House and fellow Democratic leaders had failed to contact him about concerns from the swing state’s large Arab community over Israel’s continued bombing of Gaza.
In an article onformerly Twitter, State Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D) said he has received “ZERO correspondence” since October 7 from the White House, the Democratic National Committee or Michigan Democratic Party leadership regarding community concerns about the US involvement in the “ongoing genocide in Gaza”.
“After more than 110 days of U.S.-backed Israeli bombing that killed Palestinian babies and families, many of whom have ties to Americans right here at home, we will not allow our communities to be used for policies,” said Aiyash, who is the chairman of the board. the majority leader in the House of Representatives, wrote.
“I highlight this for several reasons: Michigan has a large Arab and Muslim community. Michigan is a critical state in November,” he continued in another post. “I am the highest ranking Arab and Muslim state in Michigan, and the lack of awareness only suggests that there is no legitimate concern or respect for our communities here in Michigan (and in United States).”
Aiyash’s messages further highlight the difficulty facing President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign in Michigan, a state with one of the largest Arabic-speaking populations in the country. Leaders of Arab and Muslim communities have repeatedly expressed anger over Biden’s continued support for Israel’s continued attacks on Palestinian civilians, which are under international investigation as a possible genocide.
On Friday, community leaders efforts rejected by Biden campaign to hold a listening session in this battleground state, with growing frustration that the president takes Arab and Muslim votes for granted. When asked about Members of the Arab and Muslim communities pledge not to vote for him, Biden dismissed the concern by implying that former President Donald Trump treats the community worse.
Abdullah Hammoud, mayor of the Detroit suburb of Dearborn — which has one of the highest percentages of Arab-Americans among U.S. cities — was one of the community leaders invited to the meeting. He explained why he refused on X.
“Palestinian lives are not measured by poll numbers. Their humanity demands action, not empty words,” Hammoud wrote. “When elected officials view the atrocities in Gaza solely as an electoral issue, they reduce our indescribable pain to a political calculation. »
“Community engagement is powerful when used to shape policies that save lives – these conversations need to happen with policymakers, not campaign staff. » he continued in a separate post. “I will not engage in conversations about the election while we watch a live genocide supported by our government. »
