Lebanese-Americans in Detroit Grapple with Political Disillusionment Amid Middle East Conflict
As the war in the Middle East escalates, Lebanese-Americans in and around Detroit are feeling the weight of the conflict more than ever. Among them is Iman Beydoun El-sayed, a 37-year-old deli owner from Dearborn Heights, who is torn between her long-standing loyalty to the Democratic Party and her growing frustration with its stance on Israel. "I’ve always voted more Democrat, but with what’s going on, I’m not sure how I feel about that anymore," she admits, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in her community.
Since mid-October, Israel’s military actions against Hezbollah have led to a staggering loss of life and displacement, with the United Nations reporting 1,500 casualties and over 800,000 people forced from their homes. For El-sayed, the impact is personal. "We all have relatives, friends, family victims, back home," she says, wearing a sweatshirt adorned with Lebanon’s cedar tree emblem. The lack of political discourse around a ceasefire or arms embargo has left her disheartened, prompting her to consider voting for Green Party candidate Jill Stein instead of the Democratic contender, Kamala Harris.
In the 2020 election, Wayne County, which encompasses Detroit and its suburbs, overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden, contributing to his narrow victory in Michigan. Ronald Stockton, a retired political science professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, notes that the Arab-American community, numbering around 300,000 in Michigan, played a crucial role in that outcome. Many voters were motivated by their opposition to former President Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim policies and his unwavering support for Israel.
However, with just two weeks until the November 5 vote, frustration with the Biden administration is palpable. Critics accuse it of unconditionally backing Israel, providing military aid, and vetoing UN calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. Marwan Faraj, a 51-year-old entrepreneur from Lebanon, expresses his anger, stating, "It’s a slap in the face, and we should return that." He recalls the February primary, where over 100,000 voters cast blank ballots in protest of U.S. Middle East policy.
Dearborn, known for its rich history tied to the automotive industry and waves of immigration, has seen significant political milestones, including the election of its first Muslim mayor in 2022. Yet, the current political climate has led the Arab American Political Action Committee to call for a vote against both Harris and Trump, citing their support for what they describe as "criminal" Israeli policies.
Stockton warns that the anger surrounding the war extends beyond the Arab-American community, resonating with many young voters who view the conflict as a "dangerous" issue for the Democrats. While some community members still see the necessity of voting for Harris to prevent a return to Trump-era policies, others feel disillusioned. Ismael Ahmed, a veteran of the Democratic Party, argues that Harris’s calls for a ceasefire and a two-state solution are not enough to sway voters who feel betrayed.
Imam Mohammad Ali Elahi observes that many voters are so heartbroken and frustrated that they are not considering the political calculus; they are simply asking, "What could be worse than what we already see?" This sentiment is echoed by Micho Assi, a local Democratic activist, who finds herself unable to mobilize voters amid the ongoing crisis. "People right now, they’re focused on who’s going to stop that genocide," she explains, sharing her own emotional experience of welcoming her parents to Detroit after they fled southern Lebanon.
As the election approaches, the Lebanese-American community in Detroit stands at a crossroads, grappling with their political identities and the urgent need for change in U.S. foreign policy. With emotions running high and the stakes even higher, many are left wondering if their votes will truly matter in the face of such overwhelming devastation.
