In a visit to suburban Detroit, President Joe Biden's campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, faced opposition from Arab American leaders critical of the administration's Israel policy, highlighting a growing divide between the White House and key Democratic supporters in a crucial swing state.

The visit to the Dearborn area, home to a significant Arab American population, saw several community leaders refusing to meet with Rodriguez and her team. These leaders expressed frustration over what they view as President Biden's overt support for Israel during its conflict with Hamas. In fact, hundreds of activists attended an event titled "Abandon Biden" aimed at urging voters to reconsider their support for the President in the upcoming November elections.

A planned meeting between Rodriguez and Arab American and Muslim leaders was ultimately canceled due to pushback within the community. Assad I. Turfe, a deputy executive of Wayne County responsible for coordinating the gathering, reached out to over ten Arab American and Muslim leaders at the request of the Biden campaign. However, community members made it clear that they did not want the meeting to take place.

Turfe expressed his concern, stating that he believes the Biden administration at the highest level fails to recognize the magnitude of the problem and the anger within the community. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated tensions between Jews and Muslims globally, significant repercussions of which are felt in the Detroit area. With its heavily Jewish suburbs and the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, Dearborn remains at the epicenter of these tensions.

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud of Dearborn voiced his discontent on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sarcastically mentioning Rodriguez's visit while criticizing President Biden for supporting the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey, a move that many perceive to be compromising the safety of Arab Americans. The Mayor's office confirmed that he was invited to be part of the Arab American leaders' group but declined the invitation. Democratic state representatives Alabas Farhat and Abraham Aiyash were also invited but could not attend.

The growing divide between the Biden administration and the Arab American community in Michigan serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Democrats in maintaining their traditionally loyal base of support in this critical swing state. As the political landscape continues to evolve, bridging this gap may prove crucial for the President's re-election campaign and the overall Democratic party in their efforts to secure victories in future elections.