Harris Adviser Engages with US Muslim and Arab Leaders Upset Over Support for Israel

By Kanishka Singh and Andrea Shalal

A senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris engaged with American Muslim and Arab leaders on Wednesday as the Harris presidential campaign attempts to regain support from voters dissatisfied with U.S. backing for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Phil Gordon, Harris’ national security adviser, conveyed the administration’s stance during a virtual meeting with community leaders, emphasizing support for a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomatic efforts in Lebanon, and stability in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the vice president’s office.

However, Ali Dagher, a Lebanese-American attorney and community leader, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of outreach from Harris’ office, stating, "It’s too little, too late." Dagher did not attend the meeting.

As a Democrat, Harris is set to face former Republican President Donald Trump on November 5 in what is anticipated to be a closely contested presidential race.

In the 2020 election, President Joe Biden garnered significant support from Muslim and Arab voters. However, this backing has sharply declined amid nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with activists arguing that Biden and Harris have inadequately addressed the ongoing military campaign.

Palestinian health authorities report that the Israeli military offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 41,000 Palestinian deaths. Israel’s military actions were initiated in response to a Hamas incursion on October 7, 2023, which claimed about 1,200 lives and involved the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. The situation in Gaza has deteriorated into a humanitarian crisis, displacing nearly all of its 2 million residents and causing widespread hunger.

In Lebanon, the toll has exceeded 1,900 lives lost and nearly 9,000 wounded due to almost a year of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah, with the majority of casualties occurring in the past two weeks, according to Lebanese government sources.

Emgage, a Muslim American advocacy group, recently endorsed Harris, while other organizations have called for supporters to avoid voting for her. Although they have not backed Trump, analysts suggest that abstaining from voting or choosing third-party candidates could negatively impact Harris.

The U.S. support for Israel has sparked significant protests, particularly in key swing states like Michigan, which may influence the election outcome. Harris has not articulated any major policy differences regarding Israel compared to Biden, who stepped aside as a presidential candidate in July.