Kamala Harris' presidential campaign has recruited an Egyptian American attorney and ex-Department of Homeland Security official to spearhead outreach efforts to Arab American voters, who play a crucial role in several states that may influence the outcome of the November 5 election, according to a campaign announcement on Wednesday.
Brenda Abdelall will be responsible for garnering support from a community disillusioned by US backing of Israel's conflict in Gaza. Vice-President Harris, a Democrat, has previously engaged Afghan American lawyer Nasrina Bargzie to focus on outreach to Muslim Americans. Harris is currently in a close contest with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. The votes of Muslim and Arab Americans could be decisive in key states like Michigan, which has witnessed street demonstrations over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
US President Joe Biden secured a significant portion of the Arab and Muslim vote in 2020, but his continued support for Israel despite the high casualty count in Gaza has disappointed many within the community. This led to an 'uncommitted' campaign against him during the Democratic primaries. Michigan, scheduled to be visited by Harris next week, boasts one of the largest Muslim and Arab American populations in the US. Over 100,000 voters in the state's primary chose 'uncommitted' over Biden, who withdrew as a candidate on July 21.
Some activists attribute Harris to the Biden administration's stance on Israel and the Gaza crisis. After the recent Democratic convention, pro-Palestinian activists criticized Harris for not showing any departure from the current situation. Although pro-Palestinian groups are unlikely to support Trump and have shown no backing for the Republican, some have initiated a campaign titled 'Abandon Harris' and encouraged supporters to vote for third-party candidates.
Abdelall, chosen by Harris for Arab American outreach, previously served as senior counselor to the Department of Homeland Security's secretary. She joined the agency in January 2021, shortly after Trump's departure, as chief of staff for the department's civil rights office. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Abdelall previously managed a food blog and website dedicated to Middle Eastern cuisine. She has also taught Middle Eastern cooking classes at a culinary school in northern Virginia.
