Biden aides meet in Michigan with Arab American and Muslim leaders, aiming to mend political ties
Source: Associated Press
Biden aides meet in Michigan with Arab American and Muslim leaders, aiming to mend political ties
BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI AND COREY WILLIAMS
Updated 4:58 PM EST, February 8, 2024
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Top Biden administration officials were meeting Thursday with Arab American and Muslim leaders in Michigan in an effort to mend ties with a community that has an important role in deciding whether President Joe Biden can hold on to a crucial swing state in the 2024 election.
He is facing increasing backlash from Arab Americans and progressives for his vocal support of Israel since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas against Israel, although Biden has insisted he is trying to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.
More than 27,000 people, mostly women and minors, have been killed in Gaza since militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 more, mostly civilians, in its attack.
The meetings began Thursday morning and stretched throughout the afternoon. State Rep. Abraham Aiyash, the second-ranking Democrat in the Michigan House, spoke to The Associated Press following a nearly two-hour meeting with the Biden officials Thursday afternoon in Dearborn, describing the conversations as “intense” but “direct.”
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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-gaza-protest-hamas-michigan-election-5bf3f88529d625a129e786bab29c4fde
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