Arab Americans put Gaza on the electoral map

▶ Many oppose Donald Trump, but anger at Joe Biden could cost him dearly in November

One of the striking things about the electoral rebuke delivered to Joe Biden by thousands of Arab-American voters in Michigan’s Democratic primary this week was that their protest was recorded as “uncommitted” votes. This is something of a misnomer.

Across the state, grassroots campaigners worked day and night to channel anger over Washington’s blanket support for Israel and continuing refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza into a significant electoral protest that won more than double the votes of the two other Democratic candidates combined. The protest exceeded organisers’ expectations, with more than 97,000 votes, figures by Edison Research showed. These early results were nine times more than the target of 10,000 votes. This was an engaged and motivated slice of the American electorate having their say, and Democratic Party strategists would do well to pay heed.

This is because Mr Biden remains neckand-neck with Donald Trump in nationwide opinion polls ahead of November’s presidential election. Despite Mr Biden’s many domestic achievements, victory is still far from assured. Michigan is one of a handful of swing states, which are won by small margins every election. Muslim and Arab Americans, who make up about 5 per cent of Michigan voters, overwhelmingly voted for Mr Biden in 2020, helping him clinch victory. A slip up by the Democrats here could spell trouble for Mr Biden’s re-election hopes.

Arab-American voters have made it plain that their support is not to be taken for granted. Despite overwhelmingly backing Mr Biden in 2020, the prospect of another Trump presidency – raised by some Democratic activists unhappy with the “Abandon Biden” campaign – will not blackmail conscientious voters into blindly supporting Mr Biden. Mr Trump’s previous policies include the so-called Muslim ban, an odious piece of legislation that the likely Republican candidate says he will renew to block refugees from Gaza entering the US. The fact that this is still not enough to persuade many Arab-American voters to endorse Mr Biden’s candidacy should be a wake-up call for his party.

Mr Biden’s team will try to play the result down, but it forms part of wider American unease over the continuing violence in Gaza that has cost tens of thousands of civilian lives. Nevada is the only US state with an “uncommitted” option for presidential elections. Given this, if there is no rethink in Washington’s backing of Israel’s war in Gaza, Arab Americans and many other citizens angry at their country’s role in the conflict may just stay home on election day.

There is still time to correct course. Mahmoud Al Hadidi, chairman of the Michigan Muslim Community Council, told The National this week that most Muslim and Arab Americans do not want to see Mr Trump return to power.

Whatever happens next, Mr Biden’s team cannot claim that Palestine was a non-issue in this election. To stop losing these crucial votes, the White House must try harder. That means changing its relationship with Israel to one characterised by accountability, not impunity.