In the state’s presidential primary, which takes place in late February, progressive US congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has urged fellow Michigan Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in order to dethrone party incumbent Joe Biden.

Tlaib made her starkly public disapproval of Biden known in a video that was uploaded to X on Saturday by Listen to Michigan, a political campaign to urge voters in the state to vote “uncommitted” in the 27 February primary. She did this by citing Israel’s military operations on Gaza, which, according to local officials, have resulted in the deaths of nearly 29,000 Palestinians since last October.

The lone Palestinian American member of Congress, Tlaib, also attacked the Biden administration’s backing of Israel, which began its military operation in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas bombings on that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis on October 7.

During a speech in front of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, which is home to one of the largest Arab American populations in the US, Tlaib stated that it is crucial to do more than just march against the genocide. We also need to make sure that we are calling our elected officials and members of Congress, as well as passing city resolutions across the nation. Establishing a voting bloc that serves as a voice for “enough is enough” is equally crucial.

Tlaib’s Statement

“We don’t want a country that supports war, bombs, and destruction,” Tlaib continued. Our goal is to uphold life. We wish to speak out in defense of each and every life lost in Gaza. You may elevate our voices in this way. Keep us from becoming even more invisible. We feel like we’re being ignored by our administration at the moment.

Come here and vote undecided if you want us to be louder, instead of endorsing Biden, the Democratic party’s presumed contender for the presidential election in November.

Layla Elabed, Tlaib’s sister, is the campaign manager for Listen to Michigan, whose appeals were echoed by the congressman in her statement.

Elabed, in an interview with Business Insider, stated: “We will use this as a means of demanding change and regaining our political power.”

In the state’s primary elections on February 27, more than thirty elected politicians from southeast Michigan have already promised to cast “uncommitted” ballots. These figures include state representatives, members of the municipal council, and Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn.

In the state’s primary elections on February 27, more than thirty elected politicians from southeast Michigan have already promised to cast “uncommitted” ballots. These figures include state representatives, members of the municipal council, and Abdullah Hammoud, the mayor of Dearborn.

Additionally, it stated: “We therefore promise to mark ‘uncommitted’ on our ballots in the forthcoming presidential primary election.” These are not simply hollow words; they represent our unwavering dedication to justice, human dignity, and the sanctity of life—values that transcend allegiance to political parties or candidates.

Under the hashtag #AbandonBiden, Arab and Muslim Americans in many swing states, including Michigan, have formed campaigns in response to the 81-year-old president’s handling of Israel’s military strikes in Gaza and attention over his age.

Reactions to Tlaib‘s most recent video announcement have been conflicting.

It was posted on the ‘X’ platform by former Democratic state senator from Ohio Nina Turner: “Arab Americans do not want their tax dollars going to kill their family members.” The liberal answer to that demand is unsettling. It is entirely appropriate for Rashida Tlaib to support this.

Amidst Tlaib’s support for Listen Michigan, Republicans Against, a conservative organization, inquired of X which Democratic candidate would challenge the congresswoman before her November reelection bid.

The US House, which is governed by Republicans, censured Tlaib last year for her criticisms of Israel. In response to the censure measure, she declared that Palestinians are not expendable and that she would not be silenced.

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