Muslim and Arab voters in Michigan organized an effort to vote "uncommitted" in the state's Democratic primary to protest Biden's support for Israel. Muslim groups and citizens are vehemently opposing President Biden following the House's approval of $26 billion in funding for Israel on Saturday. Biden announced his intention to sign the package as soon as it reaches his desk, noting that it also includes funds for Taiwan and Ukraine. For months, American Islamic groups have criticized Biden's administration for its unwavering support of Israel. Some view Biden's impending signature on this latest bill as a potential tipping point.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations' Governmental Affairs Council said "this heartless decision may not mark a point of return for the White House's remaining relationship with the American Muslim community and other Americans opposed to the genocide in Gaza."
CAIR National described the aid as a "blank check" that allowed the Israeli government to purchase "assault weapons used to kill at least 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza."
"Giving Netanyahu this blank check after all his government's war crimes will make our nation fully complicit in the Gaza genocide and possibly mark a breaking point for Biden's relationship not only with American Muslims, but with many other Americans." Background is anti-genocide,” CAIR wrote in a statement.
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Rep. Pramila Jaipal, D-Wash., criticized the bill during an appearance on MSNBC, comparing continued support for Israel to the Iraq War. Like CAIR, he noted that the Israel bill made no distinction between funding for defensive and offensive weapons.
"We don't see the carnage going on in Gaza and want US military aid to be a part of that carnage," he said. "This is an Iraq War moment. This is a moment where I think the people are not with us."
The outrage comes as Muslim voters in key swing states like Michigan have already threatened to abandon Biden's re-election bid.
Muslim and Arab American community leaders refused to meet with Biden's campaign manager in late January. Arab Americans living in Michigan are traditionally reliable Democrats, with Biden taking more than 75% of the vote in the Arab-majority city of Dearborn in 2020.
Michigan is essentially a winnable state for Biden on Election Day. He carried the state in 2020 against former President Trump by just 150,000 votes. The state's Arab and Muslim communities number about 300,000, meaning a significant drop in support could swing Republicans.
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