Harris meets with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan

Vice President Harris met with leaders from the Muslim and Arab American community while in Flint, Mich., on Friday amid the ongoing war in the Middle East and shrinking support for Democrats from the community.

Harris traveled to Michigan this week for campaign events and ahead of her Flint rally, she "met briefly" with the leaders and "heard directly their perspectives on the election and the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon," according to a Harris campaign official.

The official added that Harris "discussed her efforts to end the war in Gaza, such that: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, self-determination."

She also, the official noted, expressed concern about civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon and reiterated the Biden administration's stance that a diplomatic solution is the best path to achieve stability, protect civilians, and prevent regional war.

The vice president's meeting comes after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) participated in a virtual event with Emgage Action on Thursday to talk about concerns from the community. Phil Gordon, national security adviser to Harris, met virtually on Wednesday with Arab, Muslim and Palestinian Americans.

The group Emgage Action met with Harris and underscored the “deep pain our communities feel over the intensifying crisis in Gaza and Lebanon," said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, in a statement. 

"Emgage Action also reiterated the organization and the Muslim community’s disappointment in the handling of the crisis that has endangered the wellbeing of our communities at home and is now widening to a broader regional war," he said. 

Alzayat added that the meeting with Harris is the "latest step in assuring the Muslim community that the organization is committed to leveraging its endorsement of Vice President Harris to advocate on behalf of our community." 

In an effort to gain back support, a new coalition called Arab Americans for Harris-Walz launched this week. The group said it represents a “broad” group of Arab American voters, including some voters who were formerly in the uncommitted movement that opposed Biden during the Democratic primary over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Biden, who has received criticism for not engaging enough with pro-Palestinian Americans, felt the anger about his handling of the war in the primary, when tens of thousands of voters in Michigan voted uncommitted.

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.

Yash Roy contributed.