LANSING, Michigan, USA (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris has received the support of one of the largest mobilization groups of American Muslim voters in the country, in a significant boost to her campaign as many Muslim and Arab American organizations have chosen to support independent candidates or none at all.
Emgage Action, the political branch of an Arab American advocacy group with 18 years of activity, endorsed Harris' presidential campaign on Wednesday, stating in a press release, which was first provided to The Associated Press, that the group "recognizes the responsibility to defeat" Donald Trump in November.
The group, based in Washington, D.C., has operations in eight states and a significant presence in the key battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. The organization is now focusing its current voter contact efforts on supporting Harris and down-ballot candidates.
"This support is not an agreement with Vice President Harris on all issues, but rather an honest guidance to our voters regarding the difficult choice they face at the ballot box," said Wa'el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage Action, in a statement. "While we do not agree with all of Harris' policies, particularly regarding the war in Gaza, we approach this election with pragmatism and conviction."
The support comes after months of tensions between groups of Arab and Muslim Americans and Democratic leaders regarding the handling of the war between Israel and Hamas by President Joe Biden's administration. Many of these groups, including leaders of the "Uncommitted" movement focused on protesting against the war, have decided not to support any candidate in the presidential race.
The conflict in the Middle East has escalated since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, in which approximately 1,200 people died. The Israeli offensive in response to the aggression has resulted in the death of over 41,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.