Arab-American leaders in the state of Michigan cancelled a meeting on Friday with President Joe Biden's re-election team over the war in Gaza.
“Community engagement is powerful when it is used to shape policies that save lives – these conversations must be had with policymakers, not campaign staff,” Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan, Abdullah Hammoud said in a post on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.
“I will not entertain conversations about elections while we watch a live-streamed genocide backed by our government.”
Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez was scheduled to meet Arab-American elected officials and community members in Michigan on Friday.
“This is not a moment for electoral politics,” Mr Hammoud said in another post, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Assad Turfe, deputy Wayne County executive and community organiser, told The Detroit News that he had helped to arrange the meeting with Biden campaign representatives but later decided to cancel.
“As the community got to learn about the meeting, there was definitely a lot of outrage and, ultimately, the decision was made to cancel the meeting,” he said.
The newspaper said Ms Rodriguez was still meeting some individual members of the community who wanted to talk.
“Until there's a ceasefire, the overall consensus in the community is they're not welcome here, essentially,” Mr Turfe added.
The cancellation of the meeting came on the day of the International Court of Justice's ruling in a case brought by South Africa against Israel, in which it said it was “plausible” genocide was being committed in Gaza.
More than 25,000 people in the Gaza Strip have been killed in an Israeli military operation that began after a deadly Hamas attack on Israeli soil in October.
“After 110-plus days of US-backed Israeli bombings that have killed Palestinian babies and families, many who have ties to Americans right here at home, we will not allow our communities to be utilised for political expediency,” state representative Abraham Aiyash, who was also invited to the meeting in Michigan, said in a post on X.
Michigan has one of the largest Arab-American populations in the US.
Losing the support of the Arab-American electorate may pose a challenge for Mr Biden, as Michigan is a battleground state.
Support for Mr Biden among Arab-American voters has decreased from 59 per cent to 17 per cent, according to a late October poll done by the Arab American Institute.
So far, Mr Biden has shrugged off losing support in the community while the White House has claimed that the President understands their concerns and criticism.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Messi at the Copa America
2007 – lost 3-0 to Brazil in the final
2011 – lost to Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals
2015 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
2016 – lost to Chile on penalties in the final
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures
Tuesday, October 29
Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE
Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman
Wednesday, October 30
Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one
Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two
Thursday, October 31
Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four
Friday, November 1
Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one
Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two
Saturday, November 2
Third-place playoff, 2.10pm
Final, 7.30pm
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Oppenheimer
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Maestro
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
