Kamala Harris: Hopeful figure for Muslim and Arab Americans?

In the close circle of her family on WhatsApp, any topic is permissible for Muna Jondy. In the chat with 40 members - including her siblings, nieces, and nephews - everything is discussed: from musician rivalries like Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar to the supremacy in college football between Ohio State and Michigan, and politics. This year, the discussion around President Joe Biden's re-election campaign dominated, especially due to his support for Israel in the Gaza war. This stance alienated many Muslim and Arab Americans, including the Jondys. However, when Biden bowed out of the race and Kamala Harris rose as the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate, the mood changed. Particularly, when Harris declared that she would not look away from the images of dead children in Gaza or remain silent about the tragedies, the family took notice. Jondy's niece wrote in the group: "Am I crazy, or is this more than Biden ever said?" Others remained skeptical and demanded concrete political changes. This WhatsApp chat is representative of many Arab Americans who turned their backs on Biden in recent months due to the Gaza conflict. Especially in strategically important states like Michigan, where Jondy's family lives, many voters felt betrayed by Biden. Kamala Harris now has the chance to change the conversation. Although she has so far remained true to Biden's stance on Israel, she emphasizes the suffering of the Palestinians more strongly. Abdullah Hammoud, the first Arab-American mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, sees this as an opportunity for meaningful dialogue. Osama A. Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, made it clear that the votes of Arab Americans in Michigan are currently up for grabs. "If she is interested in our votes, we are interested in her opinion," he said. However, Siblani stressed that support for Harris would not come automatically. Another uncertainty for Harris could be her choice of vice president. Among the top candidates is also Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, a staunch supporter of Israel. The election outcome could also be influenced by the approximately 200,000 registered Muslim voters in Michigan, as estimated by the organization Emgage. These voter groups could also play a role in other crucial states like Virginia, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. Biden's departure, whose support for Israel also mobilized protest groups, could allow Harris to win back some previously undecided voters. Dr. Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian-American emergency physician, remains skeptical about the current shift. "Slogans and phrases won't fix it," he says. A more optimistic tone came from Nada Al-Hanooti, an organizer for Emgage. She was pleased that Harris did not assume the traditional role of vice president when Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke before Congress but instead preferred a private meeting. Harris’s efforts to find a finer balance between strong support for Israel and acknowledgment of the suffering of civilians in Gaza are being closely watched by voters like Al-Hanooti. James Zogby of the Arab American Institute also emphasized that Harris has the opportunity to win back voters who had abandoned Biden if she clearly charts a different course. For Muna Jondy, a long-time supporter of the Democrats, the final decision remains pending. So far, at least, Harris has won her vote.