Uncommitted Movement Rejects Harris, Urges Opposition to Trump, Third Parties

The Uncommitted movement, a pro-Palestinian organization critical of the Biden administration’s approach to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, made headlines on Thursday by stating that it will not be endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. Interestingly, the group also refrained from suggesting a third-party vote in the upcoming November election.

This announcement coincided with Harris’s campaign activities in Michigan, a state with significant Arab American and Muslim populations that could play a crucial role in the election. The Uncommitted movement was formed to encourage voters to select “uncommitted” on primary ballots instead of backing Biden, reflecting dissatisfaction with his unwavering support for Israel during the devastating war in Gaza.

The group’s statement highlighted that “Harris’s unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy or to even make a clear campaign statement in support of upholding existing U.S. and international human rights law has made it impossible for us to endorse her.” This critique indicates a demand for greater accountability from Democratic leaders regarding the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

Moreover, the group expressed strong opposition to a potential Donald Trump presidency, condemning his plans to intensify military actions in Gaza and suppress anti-war movements. They emphasized the importance of not recommending a third-party candidate in the Presidential race, explaining that such votes in key swing states could inadvertently facilitate a Trump victory due to the country’s flawed electoral system.

Instead, the Uncommitted movement is encouraging members to cast anti-Trump votes across the entire ballot. They reaffirmed their commitment to building a broad anti-war coalition both within and outside of the Democratic Party.

This declaration arrived just before Harris’s scheduled events in Detroit, where she will be rallying with supporters and participating in an event alongside Oprah Winfrey.

The Uncommitted movement has become increasingly vocal within the Democratic Party following the war in Gaza ignited by Hamas’s brutal assault on Israel last year. The violence has reportedly led to substantial casualties, with Israeli officials estimating around 1,200 deaths, while the Gaza Health Ministry claims over 41,000 Palestinians have died since hostilities began.

The movement has consistently criticized Biden’s approach, and the rising number of “uncommitted” votes in Democratic primaries has spotlighted fissures within the president’s base of support. For instance, in Michigan’s primary, over 100,000 voters opted for “uncommitted,” a concerning development given that Trump won the state by a slim margin of around 11,000 votes in 2016.

Activists within Uncommitted have also called for Harris to engage with Palestinian-American families who have suffered losses in Gaza. They demand her support for an immediate cease-fire, which she has advocated, but not for an arms embargo on Israel, a stance she opposes. Following the Democratic National Convention’s rejection of their request for a Palestinian speaker, Uncommitted activists staged a sit-in to voice their discontent.

Harris’s campaign has committed to ongoing discussions with leaders from Muslim, Palestinian, Israeli, and Jewish communities to address the complexities of the conflict.

While Harris has portrayed a more empathetic stance regarding civilian casualties in Gaza than Biden, she has firmly maintained Israel’s right to defend itself. She has not made the policy shifts sought by the Uncommitted movement.

Her campaign’s recent statement emphasized her dedication to “earn every vote, unite our country,” and to ensure a resolution to the conflict that acknowledges both Israeli security and Palestinian rights. This approach aims to secure dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination for the Palestinian people.

Opposition to Trump remains strong among Uncommitted organizers, as they decry his embrace of Israel and derogatory use of the term “Palestinian.”

The war in Gaza is particularly resonant in Michigan, given its diverse electorate and narrow electoral margins. A Republican-affiliated super PAC is currently running ads in regions with high Muslim and Arab populations, aiming to undermine support for Harris by emphasizing her alignment with Israel’s policies and her husband’s Jewish faith.

In contrast, Harris’s campaign is strategically targeting digitally ads at predominantly Arab neighborhoods in Detroit, showcasing her commitment to speaking out against human suffering in Gaza.

Discontentment over the administration’s handling of the Gaza conflict has sparked criticism among various factions, each holding differing views on how to address the situation. Some voices in this discourse perceive the Uncommitted movement’s stance as a way to avoid the political fallout from openly opposing Harris while effectively aiding her electoral prospects.

Despite the challenges, certain Michigan Democrats regard the Uncommitted’s statement as a positive development, particularly since it warns against third-party votes. Jim Ananich, a former Democratic state Senate leader in Michigan, described it as “close to a win,” while strategist Josh Hovey noted that a full endorsement would have been ideal, considering the competitive environment.

In summary, the Uncommitted movement’s position reflects both a critique of existing Democratic policies regarding the Gaza conflict as well as a strategic approach to the upcoming elections, emphasizing unity against the Trump campaign and the necessity of reform within the party.