WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden travelled on Thursday to the crucial swing state of Michigan, which is also the crucible of growing Arab American anger at his pro-Israel policies.

The trip comes days after the Democratic incumbent’s campaign manager travelled to the city of Dearborn, home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, only to be snubbed by the Detroit suburb’s mayor.

It was an ominous sign for Biden, for whom swing states such as Michigan could prove decisive in November, when he faces a likely rematch with his predecessor Donald Trump.

The White House has made clear that Thursday’s trip is purely a campaign visit, and the president’s election team has said that he will meet members of the powerful United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which endorsed him last week.

That could carry a lot of weight in Michigan, home to the US auto industry, but he will still have to contend with the anger of Arab Americans as Isra­el’s devastating bombardment of Gaza grinds on.

Biden has asked Congress for billions of dollars in additional military aid to Israel and his government has vetoed multiple UN Security Council calls for a ceasefire, leaving people of Middle Eastern heritage and other Muslims feeling betrayed by the Democratic Party, normally their political home.

They accuse the 81-year-old Democrat of sacrificing civilians in Gaza, which is facing a serious humanitarian crisis, in the name of supporting Israel.

White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday that Biden was “heartbroken by the suffering of innocent Palestinians”.

On Wednesday, a group of Dearborn organisations called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The city’s mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, had earlier written on X that he refused to meet Biden’s campaign manager.

“I will not entertain conversations about elections while we watch a live-streamed genocide backed by our government,” he said.

Biden is now regularly confronted by demonstrators waving Pales­tinian flags and chanting slogans against “Genocide Joe”, with his speeches interrupted by protesters.

He won decisively among Arabs and other Muslims in 2020. But analysts have warned many could stay home or vote for a third party this year.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024