Harris Secretly Meets With Radical Antisemitic Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan

Vice President Kamala Harris quietly met with the controversial mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, in a bid to court Arab-American and Muslim voters, raising questions about her campaign's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict ahead of the 2024 election.

Vice President Kamala Harris met privately last week with the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, Abdullah Hammoud, as part of an effort to engage Arab-American and Muslim voters in the battleground state of Michigan. The meeting, reported by the Associated Press, came as Democrats have been working to address concerns among uncommitted voters in key states with significant Arab American populations.

During her campaign stop, Harris and Hammoud discussed potential policy on the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a person familiar with the meeting who spoke on condition of anonymity. While the specifics of their conversation were not disclosed, it marks a notable outreach to Arab-American voters as tensions around the conflict persist. Hammoud declined to comment publicly on the meeting.

Hammoud, who serves as mayor of Dearborn, a city known for its large Arab-American population, has previously drawn attention for his remarks about Israel. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on October 7, he appeared to justify the actions of Hamas against Israelis, though he claimed to oppose violence against civilians. He also made controversial remarks at a rally last year, referring to Dearborn as a “city of resistance” and criticizing the U.S. for its support of Israel.

Harris, meanwhile, has been navigating pressure within the Democratic Party from anti-Israel factions. She has previously expressed a willingness to engage in discussions about an arms embargo on Israel, though her campaign later walked back the suggestion. Harris has also faced criticism for hiring staff members with histories of anti-Israel activism.

The Harris campaign continues to face challenges in balancing its support for Israel with its outreach to Arab-American and Muslim communities, especially in swing states like Michigan where the votes of these communities could prove crucial in the 2024 election.