Dearborn Mayor says Biden would lose Arab American vote unless he alters unrestrained support for Israel

Dearborn (Quds News Network) – Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud has warned US President Joe Biden that unless the administration alters its steadfast support for Israel, it risks losing the Arab American vote crucial for re-election later this year.

Hammoud, speaking in Dearborn, home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the US, told the Middle East Eye that for the next two weeks, he and other dissenting voices in Michigan would be advocating for voters to choose “uncommitted” in the state’s Democratic primary on February 27.

The “Vote Uncommitted” campaign, sparked by ongoing US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, aims to encourage Arab and Muslim Americans in Michigan, a demographic that played a significant role in Biden’s 2020 victory, to express their discontent by voting “uncommitted.”

Mayor Hammoud, along with 30 other elected officials, declared their intention to vote “uncommitted” in the primary as a protest against the administration’s destructive policy decisions regarding Gaza.

Despite President Biden’s acknowledgment that Israel’s actions in Gaza have been “over the top,” his administration has not signaled a shift in its support for Israel’s offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of approximately 28,000 Palestinians and extensive destruction in Gaza.

While Biden is not likely to face a serious challenge in the primary, the “Vote Uncommitted” campaign has faced criticism within the Democratic party, with some viewing it as potentially beneficial to former President Donald Trump’s presidential ambitions.

Michigan, a swing state, played a pivotal role in Biden’s victory in 2020. However, the Arab American vote, which overwhelmingly supported Biden, may be critical for a successful re-election bid in November.

In an interview, Mayor Hammoud rejected concerns about the potential consequences of a Trump presidency for Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of finding a president who aligns with the values of preventing the loss of innocent lives.

Hammoud has faced increased scrutiny and security concerns following a Wall Street Journal opinion piece labeling Dearborn as a “jihad capital” due to its pro-Palestine demonstrations. The mayor denounced the article as an attempt to malign a grassroots movement and exacerbate division and bigotry.