Early this year, notable civil rights leader and author Michelle Alexander joined the ranks of many Black civil rights leaders who support Palestinian human rights. Alexander wrote an op-ed examining the deafening silence of civil rights leaders on the issue of Palestine, and making the case that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would likely have spoken up for Palestinians in today’s circumstances. Ultimately, Alexander commits herself to speak up for Palestinians and human rights, connecting the struggles of Black and Palestinian communities to amplify the calls for justice at home and abroad.

Congress welcomes the historic class of representatives, including four newly elected Arab American women

2019 saw the most diverse class of Congressional representatives in the country’s history, including over 100 women. Among these women were four Arab Americans: Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Donna Shalala (FL-27), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-13). The excitement among the Arab American community was palpable as these leaders took the oath of office among a flurry of #TweetYourThobe posts expressing solidarity and gratitude for this representation in Congress.

February

Fadwa Hammoud is sworn-in as Michigan’s first woman and first American Muslim Solicitor General

Michigan’s Attorney General appointed Fadwa Hammoud to fill the role of Solicitor General, a process that was officially completed with a swearing-in ceremony in February. Hammoud, who has a long record of public service as a prosecutor, often refers to her Arab heritage and the pride she feels as an Arab American. Hammoud’s representation in one of Michigan’s highest offices serves as a positive example and a source of pride for Arab Americans across the country.

“The Dean of the House, John Dingell, passes away

Arab Americans in Michigan and around the country mourned the loss of John Dingell, the country’s longest-serving member of Congress. Dingell was known to be approachable and thoughtful with issues affecting Arab Americans, many of whom resided in his district. His statements, votes, and positions on a variety of foreign and domestic policy issues continue to impact Arab Americans today, and his leadership has been sorely missed by people around the nation.

Rami Malek is the first Arab American to win an Oscar for Best Actor

Previously best known for his role in Mr. Robot, Rami Malek became the first Arab American winner of an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. In his acceptance speech, Malek spoke about his Egyptian American family and the immigrant experience. Malek has also been outspoken in the past about the typecasting of actors of Arab descent, noting he refused to take roles depicting Arabs as bad people.

March

The U.S. Census Bureau announces it will collect responses in Arabic for the first time in 2020

In preparation for the 2020 Census, the Bureau is working to meet the diverse needs of the U.S. population. One way they’re accomplishing this is by expanding the number of languages the census will be available in, and by introducing an online option for completing the census. With continued immigration from the Arab world and the growth of Arabic speakers in the country, this service is helping prepare Arab Americans for the 2020 Census.

Donald Trump shifts long-standing policy to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights

The Trump Administration reversed 50+ years of U.S. policy nearly overnight when it decided to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. This position is in conflict with the international community’s position that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory occupied by Israel. The move signifies the strengthening of the U.S.-Israeli relationship at the expense of international law and human rights.

April

‘Yalla, Count Me In!,’ the only national Get Out the Count campaign for Arab Americans, is launched

Every 10 years, the U.S. government launches its constitutionally mandated effort to count every person residing in the country. The results of this effort determine how billions of dollars are allocated and how districts are redrawn, impacting communities’ representation and services. A strong turnout of Arab Americans, a historically undercounted, and therefore underserved, community, will result in unprecedented community services & representation, making this national campaign of vital importance to every Arab American. Pledge to be counted today.

BDS Co-Founder Omar Barghouti is denied entry to the United States

Omar Barghouti was prepared to come to the United States to embark on a speaking tour, but his trip ended before it began when he was informed at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport that the United States denied his entry. Barghouti, who has repeatedly visited the United States, says this is the first time a denial of travel came from the U.S. government. He suspects his role in the non-violent Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement, which Israel opposes and which several U.S. states have banned, is the reason for his denial, raising free speech concerns for Arab Americans and advocates for Palestinian human rights.

Comedian Ramy Youssef took on the vital task of producing the first scripted television show about the experiences of an Arab American and American Muslim man, bringing much-needed representation to the entertainment industry. While Youssef has explained this show is not meant to represent all Arab Americans’ or American Muslims’ experiences, audiences have largely applauded the show for its groundbreaking work and storytelling. The proof is in the pudding: season two of ‘Ramy’ will be available in spring 2020.

The House approves H.R. 335, federally recognizing Arab American Heritage Month for the first time

Efforts have been underway for decades to recognize Arab American Heritage Month at the local and state levels. 2019 was a record-breaking year for these efforts, with 109 proclamations and resolutions commemorating the month in 26 states. At the end of April, Arab American Representative Donna Shalala introduced a resolution to recognize Arab American Heritage Month in Congress. The approved resolution brings added attention to this wonderful month of celebration and recognition of Arab Americans & their contributions.

May

A leader on the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Hanan Ashrawi has been a frequent visitor to the United States, but her most recent attempt to visit the country was denied by the U.S. State Department. In an op-ed, Ashrawi describes the Trump Administration’s demonstrated lack of interest in approaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a fair and factual perspective. This denial of entry followed quickly on the heels of Barghouti’s denial, prompting outcries from the Arab American community and advocates for Palestine.

June

After hate crimes rose for a third consecutive year, an innovative new bill was introduced into both chambers of Congress: the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. This legislation will improve training and reporting requirements for hate crimes, helping to better understand the landscape of hate crimes and, ultimately, leading to more effective anti-hate responses. The bill is named after two victims of hate crimes, including Arab American Khalid Jabara. Jabara was tragically murdered by his neighbor after months of threats, and the Jabara and Heyer families are working to ensure no other families suffer in the future. This is likely the first time a piece of legislation is named after an Arab American.

In a highly anticipated decision that ultimately favored civil rights advocates, the Supreme Court prevented the Trump administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 Census. Though the decision left the door open for the question to be revisited, the issue has been settled for 2020, and advocates are now leading the charge to ensure all persons within the United States are counted.

July

Thanks to the diligence and leadership of the Palestinian American Community Center, New Jersey became the first state to offer Arabic voter registration forms statewide. This victory was possible due to the tireless efforts of the Arab American community and its leaders. They successfully demonstrated the need for Arabic language resources (shout-out to Census data on Arab Americans), putting New Jersey at the forefront of in-language innovations for Arab Americans.

August

Arab American Jimmy Aldaoud dies after deportation to Iraq, no access to medical care

The consequences of the Trump Administration’s immigration policies have been felt by Arab Americans and other immigrant communities since day one of this term. The community was reminded of the toll of these policies when Arab American Jimmy Aldaoud, who emigrated from Iraq as a child, was deported back to Iraq where he died due to lack of medical care. Many mourned this deeply saddening and preventable death, and continue to call for immigration reforms that will not put anyone else in harm’s way, either in the United States or abroad.

September

Palestinian Ismail Ajjawi, who is from Lebanon, made it to the United States in time to begin classes at Harvard after initially being denied entry. Ajjawi’s saga began at Boston’s Logan Airport where he was detained and questioned for hours. He alleges the immigration officials questioned his religious practices and the political posts of his friends on Facebook. Harvard University, AMIDEAST—the organization that granted Ajjawi a scholarship—and other groups worked on Ajjawi’s behalf to ensure he would be granted entry in time for the start of the semester. This case re-stirred concerns about the Administration’s immigration and higher education policies that are increasingly targeting Palestinians and their allies.

October

In a sudden announcement that took many by surprise, Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of all U.S. Troops from Syria. The decision worried seasoned policymakers who see this move as an abdication of the U.S.’s responsibilities to its allies in the region, U.S. backed Kurdish fighters. The Kurds played a pivotal role in containing the threat of the Islamic State, and a U.S. withdrawal left them vulnerable to neighboring Turkey’s invasion. In the deteriorating situation, hundreds of ISIS fighters imprisoned by Kurdish forces escaped. The ongoing violence does not bode well for an end to any of the fighting in the near future.

November

In another move that reverses over 50 years of U.S. policy, Sec. Mike Pompeo announced a new U.S. position that does not consider Israeli Settlements illegal. This move drew international outrage immediately, leading to fears that Israel would proceed with its plan to annex the West Bank. This decision added to the long list of anti-Palestine policies the Trump Administration has made to suppress human rights abroad and advocacy at home.

December

The 2013 Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision gutted key components of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, leading to rampant voter suppression efforts in several states. Since then, voting rights and democracy advocates have been pushing to restore protections, and the U.S. House finally passed the Voting Rights Advancement Act to do just that. Significantly, this legislation includes a formula for assessing if states or localities are engaging in voter suppression tactics. If they are found to be doing so, measures are included for remedying discriminatory policies. If passed in the Senate, this will be the biggest package of voting rights reforms in recent memory.

A highly controversial executive order was signed by Donald Trump that orders the Dept. of Education to consider an expanded definition of anti-Semitism—one that considers criticism of Israel to be anti-Semitic—when evaluating civil rights claims. The blatant targeting of Palestinian human rights advocates, and the obvious attacks on free speech and academic freedom, will achieve the intended consequence of chilling free speech on college campuses. In the wake of this decision, civil rights and civil liberties organizations spoke out against the order. Many Jewish advocacy organizations also spoke out and noted the Administration’s explanation for the order—to combat anti-Semitism—would do nothing to protect the Jewish community.

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