Michigan Secretary of State spoke about how candidates can address Gaza war

CHICAGO - Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke with USA TODAY at the Democratic convention last week, discussing Israel’s war with Hamas and how Michigan voters are responding.

Benson emphasized the fundamental importance of empathetic communication, and a focus on kitchen table issues with a broad appeal for presidential candidates to carry her state.

“Any leader seeking to lead our state, or receive votes from citizens in Michigan, simply need to show that they hear, they see, people’s pain, and they’re committed to ensuring voices are heard across the spectrum,” Benson said. “And showing up, listening, trying to solve the everyday, fundamental problems for all citizens in our state, that’s the types of things Michigan voters look for.”

Why is Israel-Hamas important in Michigan?

Michigan is home to a large number of Arab American voters, and U.S. military support for Israel has been an important voting issue there.

During the Michigan primaries earlier this year, the state had one of the largest turnouts of the “uncommitted” vote in the race for Democratic presidential nomination—a protest vote seeking to pressure President Joe Biden to do more to end the war.

A point of contention among many in the Palestinian American community and progressives last week was the fact that no Palestinian speaker was allowed to address the DNC.

The parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin , who has been held hostage since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, were among the convention’s speakers.

Vice President Kamala Harris has walked a tightrope between demands from the contingent of the Democratic coalition calling for an immediate cease-fire and the wing that supports continued military aid and support for Israel in its campaign against Hamas . The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry says more than 40,000 people have died, most of them civilians, in the war that’s nearing the one-year mark.

On the last day of the convention, during her acceptance speech, the Democratic presidential nominee addressed the issue head-on, saying she would “always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7” just before calling what has happened in Gaza since “devastating.”

“President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination,” she said, drawing loud applause.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Michigan Secretary of State spoke about how candidates can address Gaza war