Dearborn’s Political Shift: Disillusionment of Arab Americans with Democratic Allies

In the recent election, heightened support for Trump among traditionally Democratic Arab American voters in Dearborn, Michigan, signals a critical disconnect between party leadership and its base. Frustrations over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel, particularly under Biden and Harris, have fueled movements urging a re-evaluation of Democratic priorities. This election outcome may compel the Democratic Party to reassess its connection with marginalized communities, especially regarding anti-war and pro-Palestinian sentiments.

On election night, Abbas Alawieh, a Palestinian-American from Dearborn, Michigan, observed with no surprise that Donald Trump secured victories across various counties, outpacing his 2020 outcomes. Frustrated by President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel, Alawieh and his colleagues initiated the “Listen to Michigan” coalition, urging voters to choose “uncommitted” in the Democratic primary to signal discontent. Over 100,000 individuals heeded this call, seeking a reconsideration of Biden’s policies regarding Gaza, yet the subsequent failure to influence change prompted a nationwide expansion of their movement, resulting in 30 uncommitted delegates at the Democratic National Convention. At the convention, Alawieh expressed their desire for a Palestinian American speaker, only to be dismissed by Democratic leadership. He reflected, “We were asking Democratic leadership to empower us. They flat-out said, ‘No, thanks. We’re good without you.’” Trump’s unexpected success in Dearborn, a city historically aligned with the Democratic Party, highlighted a disconnect between party leadership and its traditional base. Alawieh opted to vote for Harris, albeit reluctantly, feeling that neither outcome—Trump or Harris winning—would resolve his family’s dire situation in conflict-stricken regions. Another prominent figure from Dearborn’s anti-war movement, Layla Elabed, expressed her disillusionment, stating she could not cast a vote for Harris. She lamented the impact of the election results on their anti-war efforts, mourning the loss of lives their movement sought to protect. Elabed emphasized that the Harris campaign ignored their calls for policy change that could have garnered more support. James Zogby, a veteran Democratic activist and founder of the Arab American Institute, reacted with frustration at the party’s negligence and lack of engagement with Arab American voters, criticizing the strategy centered too heavily on consultant-driven fundraising rather than grassroots connection. Rola Makki, a Lebanese-American Republican, acknowledged the mixed feelings within her community concerning Trump’s victory amidst ongoing violence in Gaza and Lebanon. She pointed out that many voters shifted their support due to a combination of factors, including dissatisfaction with Harris and broader Republican messaging on social issues. Zogby considered the electoral results a warning for Democrats about the need for genuine engagement with marginalized communities. Despite this setback, Zogby and Elabed remain optimistic about the future of Arab Americans within the political landscape, advocating for a party that listens to its constituents and addresses their grievances. Alawieh encapsulated the prevailing mood in Dearborn, insisting that residents, while curious about Trump’s future commitments, were cognizant of the possibility of heightened targeting. He remarked, “It’s clear as day that he’s playing us. I think he’s going to target us. That’s what he’s going to do. It’s going to hurt.”

The increasingly complex political landscape for Arab Americans has been accentuated by recent electoral outcomes. Long a Democratic stronghold, cities like Dearborn have witnessed a significant shift in voter sentiment, illustrating a disconnect between party leadership and the needs of its core constituencies. With the rise in support for Trump, especially among traditionally Democratic voters, it highlights the urgent need for the Democratic Party to address its constituents’ concerns, particularly around foreign policy and social justice issues. This electoral cycle serves as a critical juncture, challenging Democrats to re-engage with marginalized communities or risk losing their support altogether.

The recent electoral developments in Dearborn reveal a critical rift between the Democratic Party and Arab American communities. As both Abbas Alawieh and Layla Elabed articulate, there exists a profound sense of disappointment regarding the party’s disregard for their messages and concerns. The ongoing crises in Gaza and Lebanon, coupled with Trump’s surprising support in historically Democratic areas, underscore the urgent need for the party to realign its priorities and reconnect with grassroots constituents to foster a more inclusive political environment.

Original Source: slate.com