A senior adviser to Vice President Kamala Harris recently met with American Muslim and Arab leaders to address concerns over US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza and Lebanon. The adviser, Phil Gordan, expressed the administration’s support for a ceasefire in Gaza, diplomacy in Lebanon, and stability in the West Bank.
However, some community leaders felt that the outreach was inadequate. Ali Dagher, a Lebanese-American attorney, described it as “too little, too late.” The meeting comes as Harris seeks to secure the Arab vote in the upcoming presidential election against former President Donald Trump.
Biden and Harris have faced criticism for their response to the conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military offensive has led to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, while Lebanon has also seen significant casualties in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Despite facing backlash from some Muslim and Arab voters, Harris recently received an endorsement from Emgage, a Muslim-American advocacy group. However, analysts warn that their continued support may be crucial in key swing states like Michigan.