Michigan Arab-Americans in dilemma over Kamala Harris stance on Gaza

The situation in Lebanon has also sharpened fears about an escalation in the regional conflict and, for this Arab-American community, what it means for their families there.

Faye Nemer came to the US when she was 10, fleeing Lebanon because of the political instability and violence, and she is now the CEO of the Middle East North American Arab Chamber of Commerce.

Before her family left Lebanon, she says they were “living as refugees” in their own country, moving between “abandoned office buildings”.

So she looks at the situation in Gaza – where more than a million people have been displaced – through a different lens, particularly the experience of children.

Her sister and much of her extended family are still in Lebanon.

“It’s difficult to conduct your day-to-day without that being top of mind,” she said.

A lifelong Democrat, she has also not made up her mind on how – or if – she will vote, and is also weighing voting for a third-party candidate.

Some 3.5 million Americans claimed Middle Eastern descent in the 2020 Census -around 1% of the population, though many are concentrated in battleground states like Michigan and Wisconsin.

Dr Mawari said the uncommitted movement doesn’t want people to feel apathetic and not cast a ballot, but to use their vote in whichever way they believe is right.

“Sitting this one out is not an option. It’s not an answer to what’s going on,” she said.