A scheduled meeting between Vice President Kamala Harris and members of the Arab American community was unexpectedly delayed this week, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This development underscores the challenges the Biden administration faces in establishing connections with this community.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris have been facing protests nationwide, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza. This highlights the deep divisions within the Democratic party over Biden’s support for Israel amidst its conflict with Hamas, a situation that threatens to fracture the coalition.
Meeting Details
Earlier this week, the Vice President’s office conducted a virtual meeting with approximately a dozen Arab American community members, including activists and representative organizations. The discussion centered around various topics, including the crisis in Gaza, in preparation for a listening session with Harris at the White House scheduled for Monday. However, the participants decided to cancel the Monday session the following day, citing potential backlash and reluctance to speak for entire communities.
Discussions about rescheduling the meeting are currently underway. The now-postponed meeting is part of the administration’s concerted effort to engage with the Arab American community. This includes recent efforts in Michigan, where community leaders and activists have been pushing for meetings with White House officials.
White House Response
A White House official informed CNN that the Vice President is committed to maintaining dialogue with leaders of the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities. The official added that Harris has already spoken to people who have left Gaza, those contributing to the humanitarian response, and others.
Despite the postponement, the community members invited to the Monday session expressed their desire to keep communication lines with the White House open. This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges the administration faces in its outreach efforts.
Protests and Public Opinion
Harris has also faced protests during her reproductive freedoms tour. ACCESS Reproductive Justice, a California-based nonprofit focused on abortion access, declined to attend Harris’ San Jose stop due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Recent interruptions during Harris’ speeches in San Jose and Savannah, Georgia, highlight the public’s concern over the violence in Gaza. A recent CNN poll found that only 34% of Americans approve of Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with approval among Democrats under 45 falling to just 35%.
Future Engagements
This week, senior administration officials met with members of the Arab American and Muslim communities in the battleground state of Michigan. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of hearing directly from community leaders.
However, frustrations remain over the administration’s approach. Some community leaders expressed disappointment that a campaign official, rather than White House officials, was sent to meet with them. The refusal of the administration to acknowledge its mistakes and hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accountable has been criticized as a display of moral bankruptcy with potential political consequences in Michigan.