Harris and Walz Under Pressure from Left on Israel-Hamas Conflict

Just days after forming their campaign ticket, Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are facing growing pressure from members of the pro-Palestinian movement. This group of disenchanted voters presents a potential challenge for the duo in important states that form part of the Democratic “blue wall.”

In recent rallies held in Michigan and Arizona, Harris confronted protesters expressing dissent regarding the U.S. government’s stance on the conflict in Gaza. Although some leaders from the Uncommitted National Movement shared optimistic sentiments following their discussions with Harris in Detroit, other factions, including the Abandon Biden Campaign, argue there is little distinction between her views and those of President Biden regarding this contentious issue.

The split opinions from the party’s left wing raise uncertainty about Harris’s ability to reconnect with disillusioned voters.

James Zogby, a member of the Democratic National Committee and co-founder of the Arab American Institute, remarked, “It opens the door and creates a possibility” for the new ticket to win back protest voters. He emphasized that the actual outcome would unfold in the coming weeks.

Others echoed this hopeful outlook, including those involved in movements pushing Biden to support an “uncommitted” option in the upcoming primaries. Laura Keating, an uncommitted delegate from New Jersey, noted a significant response when Biden exited the race, indicating a wave of hope among voters.

The Democratic Party hastily assembled a new ticket soon after Biden’s withdrawal, with Harris selecting Walz as her running mate. Many Democrats welcomed the announcement, especially since concerns had been raised about potential running mate Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Harris characterized the situation in Gaza as “devastating,” affirming that “Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does so matters.” Nonetheless, her national security adviser indicated that the vice president is not in favor of an arms embargo. It remains uncertain whether Harris’s position on the conflict will significantly differ from Biden’s.

A spokesperson from Harris’s campaign stated that since October 7, the Vice President has prioritized communication with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian community members concerning the Gaza conflict, reaffirming her commitment to engaging with these communities.

The spokesperson added, “The Vice President has been clear: she will always work to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups.” Harris aims to focus on the potential ceasefire and hostage negotiations currently being discussed, emphasizing the need for security and relief for Palestinian civilians.

Following a recent primary in which over 45,000 voters expressed their dissatisfaction with Biden, Walz acknowledged the concerns of those voters, who are increasingly “civically engaged” and seeking a change in direction regarding U.S. policy.

Members of the pro-Palestinian movement are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of influencing the new Democratic ticket regarding the conflict ignited by Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties on both sides and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

As the war continues, calls are growing for Biden to exert more pressure on Israel amidst increasing casualties and destruction.

Layla Elabed, a leader in the Uncommitted National Movement, noted possibilities for Harris to adopt a stance diverging from Biden’s current policies. Elabed, along with fellow co-founder Abbas Alawieh, briefly interacted with Harris during her visit to Detroit, expressing a desire to discuss arms embargo policies with her.

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud echoed sentiments of potential for dialogue, remarking that this might lead to forthcoming discussions surrounding policy changes.

There has also been a notable shift in support among young voters. Neha Dewan, co-director of South Asians for Harris, described a significant uptick in engagement from young voters following Harris’s nomination, which had previously been hindered by apathy regarding the Gaza war.

Bejay Chakrabarty, a youth organizer, corroborated this shift, emphasizing that young voters’ concerns about Biden’s policies have opened avenues for increased participation since the nomination.

Harris faced criticism from some Democrats when responding to hecklers during her Detroit speech, but she received praise for her more measured approach in Arizona, where she acknowledged the importance of respecting voices advocating for change.

Despite some positive signs, not all in the pro-Palestinian movement are optimistic about Harris’s candidacy. Critics deem her closely linked to Biden’s administration and its policies favoring Israel, making them skeptical of potential policy changes.

As the November election approaches, and with the Democratic National Convention on the horizon, the Harris-Walz ticket faces a pressing challenge to regain the trust of disillusioned voters. The upcoming convention could potentially reveal early signals regarding whether protest voters may rally behind the new ticket.

Looking ahead, Zogby stated that with the election still months away, there exists ample opportunity for the new ticket to signal substantial change.

State Representative Ruwa Romman, who identifies as Palestinian and has discussed the Gaza conflict with Harris, expressed cautious optimism following her nomination but noted that initial enthusiasm waned after her handling of protesters in Detroit. She emphasized the significance of Harris’s subsequent response in Arizona, demonstrating her ability to learn and adapt from feedback.

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