Michigan Democrat Urges Uncommitted Vote in Primary Over Biden’s Support for Israel’s War in Gaza
Rep. Rashida Tlaib Calls for Uncommitted Vote in Michigan’s Democratic Primary
WASHINGTON ― Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., is urging Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the state’s upcoming Democratic primary in a display of opposition against President Joe Biden over his support for Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip. Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, said in a video posted Saturday, “This is the way you can raise our voices. Right now, we feel completely neglected and just unseen by our government. If you want us to be louder, then come here and vote uncommitted.”
Arab American Activists Promote “Uncommitted” Vote
Tlaib, a member of “The Squad” whose district includes parts of Detroit and surrounding communities, is joining forces with Arab American activists in Michigan who are urging Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” to send a message. Michigan’s “Abandon Biden” movement, part of a larger national campaign, is hosting meetings with third-party candidates such as Jill Stein and Cornel West. A separate initiative, which organizers are calling “Listen to Michigan,” is urging Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the primary.
Arab-American Community in Dearborn Expresses Discontent
Dearborn, Mich., outside of Detroit, boasts a thriving Arab-American community that has grown to make up a majority of the city’s population. Many residents there say they feel abandoned by Biden because of his backing of Israel’s war against Hamas, which has killed more than 28,000 Palestinian civilians. Tlaib has demanded the Biden administration support a cease-fire in Gaza.
Potential Impact on November General Election
By voting “uncommitted,” Tlaib said the goal is to “create a voting bloc, something that is a bullhorn to say enough is enough. We don’t want a country that supports wars and bombs and destruction. We want to support life.” Biden, lacking a formidable Democratic challenger, is expected to easily win Michigan’s primary even with a strong protest vote. But discontent from Arab Americans could severely hurt Biden’s chances to win Michigan, a critical battleground state, in the November general election.
The White House Addresses Arab-American Concerns
The White House last week dispatched a large group of senior officials to meet with Arab-American leaders in Michigan. Participants in those meetings said the Biden officials conceded there had been “mistakes and missteps” in the response to the war in Gaza and apologized for how the administration has talked publicly about Palestinians during the deadly conflict.
Controversial History Surrounding Tlaib and Israel-Hamas War
Last year, the House of Representatives censured Tlaib for comments she made about the Israel-Hamas war, including “from the river to the sea,” a pro-Palestinian slogan that Israel’s supporters say is anti-Semitic and a call to destroy the state of Israel.
