Photo credit: abcnews.go.com
LANSING, Mich. — Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Dearborn, Michigan — recognized as the largest Arab-majority city in the United States — on Friday. This visit follows a call from a local business owner who urged the former president to advocate for peace in Lebanon prior to his arrival.
Metro Detroit boasts the highest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation, with many residents residing in Dearborn. The city, which President Joe Biden won by a substantial margin, has experienced considerable political unrest, particularly in light of the community’s dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
As tensions have risen, Vice President Kamala Harris has been working through representatives to address community concerns. Trump’s upcoming visit will be the first by any candidate, according to local leader Osama Siblani. Earlier this year, Harris held a meeting with Dearborn’s Democratic mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, although it occurred outside the city.
Sam Abbas, the proprietor of The Great Commoner restaurant in Dearborn, confirmed to The Associated Press that Trump intends to visit his establishment. “We expect some remarks around ending the war and bringing peace to the Middle East,” he said. “I’m not here to get political. I’m simply here because our family is being slaughtered, and we just want to end the war. Stop the bombing.”
The backdrop to this visit includes Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Additionally, Israel’s recent incursion into Lebanon aims to counter Hezbollah, a militant group that has launched attacks into Israeli territory. Reports indicate that at least 43,000 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities, who do not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their casualty figures.
The Trump campaign has not provided comments regarding the visit, which comes on the heels of Trump’s rally in Michigan last week, where he invited local Muslims to join him on stage. He has also garnered support from two Democratic mayors from cities with significant Muslim populations.
Despite the challenging political landscape, many Democratic officials within the community have not endorsed Harris and remain candid about their adverse views of Trump. This sentiment is shaped by memories of Trump’s prior statements advocating for a blanket ban on Muslim immigration and his policies restricting travel from several Muslim-majority nations. Concerns have also been raised about Trump’s perceived openness to granting Israel increased latitude in military operations against its regional adversaries.
Democratic leaders are worried that their traditional voter base may either shift support to Trump or third-party candidates, such as Jill Stein, or choose not to participate in the election altogether. This potential shift could play a crucial role in deciding the outcome in Michigan, a state both major parties are eyeing as a crucial battleground.
Abbas mentioned that Trump’s team made contact several weeks ago to discuss the possibility of his hosting the former president in Dearborn. Before confirming his decision, Abbas sought a commitment from Trump indicating his intentions to support peace efforts and assist in rebuilding efforts in Lebanon, especially for those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Subsequently, Trump released a statement on X, expressing his desire to alleviate the suffering in Lebanon. “I will preserve the equal partnership among all Lebanese communities,” he noted, emphasizing that peace and stability in the region are essential for the prosperity of individuals and families in Lebanon.
Upon receiving Trump’s assurance, Abbas agreed to host the event, anticipating the attendance of around 100 individuals from the community. “He’s coming to us to basically tell us, look, I did what you guys asked. My intentions, my true intentions are to bring peace and to end the war,” said Abbas.
Source
abcnews.go.com