'I will never vote Biden': Some Muslim Americans in a key swing state feel betrayed by the president

Muslim and Arab Americans say their support was critical to Biden’s winning Michigan in 2020. Some warn they won’t back him again over his blanket support for Israel.

"I will never vote Biden": Several Muslim Americans in a pivotal swing state feel let down by the President. Members of the Muslim and Arab American communities, who believe their support was pivotal to Biden's victory in Michigan in 2020, are now expressing frustration and even contemplating not backing him in the future due to his unwavering support for Israel. In the wake of President Joe Biden's staunch endorsement of Israel following the Hamas terror attack, Ahmad Ramadan, a former Biden adviser and current leader of coalition efforts for the Michigan Democratic Party, raised concerns about the growing discontent among Muslim and Arab American voters. This demographic, with a significant presence in Michigan, played a crucial role in securing the state for Biden in 2020. However, recent events have led to disappointment and a sense of betrayal among these communities. Ramadan's discussions with Muslim community leaders revealed a prevailing sentiment of disappointment and a belief that President Biden had misled them.

While Muslim Americans represent a minority of the U.S. population, their numbers are increasing, making them a coveted voting bloc for both political parties. Historically, Democrats have fared well in winning their support, especially due to policies that alienated these communities during the Trump administration. Nevertheless, there are warnings from Muslim leaders that Democrats risk losing their support if they do not address issues related to Islamophobia and the conflict in Gaza more effectively. State Rep. Alabas Farhat, who represents a district with a substantial Muslim and Arab American population, expressed concerns about the perceived abandonment of constituents with family members in Gaza, some of whom are U.S. citizens. He stressed the need for the Biden administration and Democrats as a whole to regain the trust of these communities.

In response to these concerns, Muslim elected officials, activists, and community leaders are discussing a plan to mobilize their constituents to vote in the upcoming elections. Some are considering leaving the presidential ticket blank as a form of protest. Others have heard from constituents planning to vote for Republicans because they feel that Republicans have been more transparent about their unwavering support for Israel.

The White House and Biden's campaign are aware of these concerns and are working to address them. They point to President Biden's recent comments in support of aid to Palestinian civilians and his call for Israel to exercise restraint. The Biden campaign emphasizes its commitment to combating Islamophobia and xenophobia and stands against the racism seen in recent weeks. While these efforts have been made, some Muslim American leaders argue that more needs to be done, and they find President Biden's recent comments insufficient.

Dr. Mahmoud Hadidi, the chairman of the Michigan Muslim Community Council, expressed that while he acknowledges the strong arguments made by the individual in question, he believes they fell short of addressing the dire humanitarian situation. Dr. Hadidi suggested that President Biden, who enjoyed significant support from this community, missed an opportunity to demonstrate concern for the civilians trapped in the unfortunate circumstances in Gaza.

Though the Muslim population in the United States constitutes only 1.3%, which is roughly half the size of the Jewish community, advocates argue that their votes can be pivotal in battleground states with slim margins, including Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, and Arizona.

Michigan is home to an estimated 240,000 Muslims. In the 2020 election, President Biden won Michigan by 150,000 votes, whereas in 2016, Trump claimed the state by a margin of just over 10,700 votes. Nada Al-Hanooti, the executive director of Emgage Michigan, emphasized the importance of the Muslim vote in securing presidential victories.

Some individuals have expressed reluctance to vote for the president in 2024 or have considered third-party options. In states like Michigan, where election margins have been razor-thin, various interest groups vie for recognition and influence, each pressing to advance their priorities on the White House's agenda.

Certain demands from Muslim Americans may be challenging for President Biden to fulfill, even prior to the recent conflict. However, everyone agrees that Biden will need to secure every possible vote, especially in states like Michigan, which are highly competitive and politically diverse.

The sense of anger has been particularly strong in Dearborn, where the mayor publicly criticized Biden and other officials for their perceived complicity in supporting actions funded by taxpayer dollars that have been condemned as war crimes.

Sami Khaldi, the president of the Dearborn Democratic Club, remains committed to the Democratic Party but urges the president to reconsider his foreign policies.

Amid these frustrations, Amer Zahr, president of New Generation for Palestine, noted that many people feel let down by the Democratic Party's stance on the Israel-Palestine issue, believing it falls short in humanizing Palestinians.

These concerns extend beyond the Muslim community, particularly among younger voters on the political left. A recent poll found that a significant percentage of voters aged 18-34 disapprove of Biden's handling of Israel.

Osama Siblani, the publisher of The Arab American News, emphasized that actions speak louder than words, and that trust has been eroded. He firmly stated that he will not vote for Biden again, regardless of any efforts to win him back.

Jasmine Rivera, co-executive director of Rising Voices, highlighted that the fear of rising Islamophobia may hinder efforts to mobilize Muslim American canvassers.

While many Muslim and Arab Americans previously supported Republican candidates, the shift toward the Democratic Party occurred as Islamophobic rhetoric became more prevalent in the GOP, notably during the Trump era.

In the 2022 campaign, Michigan's GOP nominee for governor, Tudor Dixon, aligned with some Muslim officials in seeking to remove LGBTQ-themed books from public libraries, signaling Republican attempts to build new alliances with culturally conservative Muslim voters.

Mark Mellman, a Democratic pollster, argued that President Biden's stance on Israel is more likely to benefit him politically than pose a danger, especially in a potential Biden-Trump rematch. Mellman believed that staying home on election day could inadvertently support a candidate with a track record of racism and Islamophobia, which many might find at odds with their views on this specific issue.