A new coalition, Arab Americans for Harris-Walz, launched Thursday to work to unite a key demographic behind Vice President Harris before Election Day.
The coalition announced it represents a “broad” group of Arab American voters, including some voters who were formerly in the uncommitted movement that opposed President Biden during the Democratic primary over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
“We come to you as fellow Arabs, many of us once uncommitted voters, asking you to join us in committing to progress. Nearly a month before the election, we are now making our choice clear: This November, we will stand behind Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz,” the coalition said in a note to Arab Americans.
The group hailed the vice president’s official office for having Phil Gordon, national security adviser to Harris, meet virtually on Wednesday with Arab, Muslim and Palestinian Americans.
It also noted that Emgage Action, a Muslim advocacy group, plans to hold an event with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to talk with voters about concerns from the community. Walz will join the event virtually, the Harris campaign confirmed.
It is working to shore up support for Harris after a new poll released Wednesday by the Arab American Institute showed former President Trump ahead of Harris with the voting bloc. Forty-six perfect of likely voters polled said they support Trump while 42 percent said they support Harris.
Democrats typically have a 2-to-1 advantage among Arab Americans in elections, and the new poll found Harris is running 18 points behind the Arab American support for Biden in the 2020 election, when 6 in 10 Arab Americans voted for the Democrat.
But the coalition argued Thursday they think a potential Trump administration would be worse for Arab Americans than the Biden administration has been throughout the ongoing war in the Middle East.
“We cannot allow Donald Trump, who is undoubtedly not our ally, to exploit our pain of today to return to the White House — where he will further instigate violence and war in Gaza and the entire Middle East. His policies have only deepened the struggles and dangers our communities face today,” the group said. “Together, we can protect the future from the hands of anti-Arab bigots like Donald Trump and build one where our voices are heard, our values respected, and our communities prioritized.”
Support for Democrats from Arab Americans fell as Biden has consistently backed Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks. Harris has indicated she is aligned with Biden and unwavering in her support for Israel.
Biden felt the anger about his handling of the war in the Democratic primary, when tens of thousands of voters in Michigan voted uncommitted, and other states also saw a protest vote against the president.
The war in the Middle East has since escalated, and Iran launched a missile attack on Israel this week. Harris has voiced her support for ensuring Israel has the ability to defend itself.