Just a few days after announcing their ticket, Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, are already facing pressure from pro-Palestinian activists. These voters, who feel disillusioned, could potentially affect the duo's chances in critical states that form the Democratic “blue wall.”
This past week, Harris was confronted by protesters at rallies in Michigan and Arizona over the U.S.'s response to the conflict in Gaza. While some leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement expressed cautious optimism after brief interactions with Harris in Detroit, other groups, such as the Abandon Biden Campaign, remain skeptical, seeing little difference between her stance and President Biden's.
The mixed reactions from the party's left wing raise questions about Harris's ability to win back these voters.
“There’s a potential opening,” said James Zogby, a Democratic National Committee member and co-founder of the Arab American Institute, when asked if the new ticket might appeal to these disillusioned voters. “We’ll see in the coming weeks,” he added.
This sentiment was echoed by others, including those who had supported the movement to pressure President Biden by rallying voters to back an “uncommitted” option in the primaries.
“There was a significant shift when Biden exited the race,” Laura Keating, an uncommitted DNC delegate from New Jersey, told The Hill. “My phone was buzzing nonstop when that news broke. There was hope.”
The Democratic Party quickly formed a new ticket after Biden withdrew, with Harris selecting Walz as her running mate. The decision was met with general approval from Democrats, though some on the left had expressed concerns over Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, and his views on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Harris has described the situation in Gaza as “devastating,” acknowledging that “Israel has a right to defend itself, but how it does so matters.” Her national security adviser, Phil Gordon, stated on X that Harris does not support an arms embargo. It remains uncertain how her policy on the conflict will differ, if at all, from Biden’s.
“Since October 7, the Vice President has prioritized engaging with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian communities and others regarding the war in Gaza. Her campaign will continue to engage with these communities,” a Harris campaign spokesperson told The Hill.
“The Vice President has been clear: she will always work to ensure Israel can defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups,” the spokesperson added.
“The Vice President is focused on securing the ceasefire and hostage deal currently on the table. As she has said, it is time for this war to end in a way that ensures Israel’s security, the release of hostages, the end of Palestinian suffering, and the realization of Palestinian rights to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”
Walz acknowledged the concerns of over 45,000 primary voters who cast protest votes against Biden, calling them “civically engaged” and noting that “these folks are asking for a change in course.” Walz has reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself, a stance supported by some pro-Israel groups backing the Democratic ticket.
Some members of the pro-Palestinian movement see a potential opportunity to influence the new Democratic ticket on the issue of the war, which began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 people and the taking of more than 250 hostages.
The ensuing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, widespread destruction in Gaza, and a severe humanitarian crisis.
President Biden has been facing increased demands to pressure Israel regarding its involvement in the ongoing violence and to reconsider the supply of U.S. weapons.
“There is an opportunity for Harris to take a different stance from Biden’s current policy,” said Layla Elabed, a leader of the Uncommitted National Movement, in an interview with The Hill.
Elabed, along with Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement, briefly spoke with Harris during a photo line in Detroit. They are hopeful about arranging a meeting to discuss the possibility of an arms embargo.
“We are aware that she does not currently support an arms embargo, as it is not the administration's policy,” Elabed explained. “That’s why it’s crucial for us to meet with her and make our voices heard.”
Similarly, Dearborn, Michigan, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud (D) expressed in a PBS News Hour interview that “the door is now slightly open for dialogue” and hopes that Harris will adopt a “tougher policy” in addition to her current rhetoric.
There is also a noticeable shift in the attitudes of young voters. Neha Dewan, co-director of South Asians for Harris, mentioned that her organization’s youth team had struggled to engage young voters due to their dissatisfaction with the Gaza conflict. However, this has changed since Harris became the nominee.
“There has definitely been a change because the biggest concern from young organizers was their disapproval of the Biden administration’s policy on the Gaza war,” said Bejay Chakrabarty, a youth organizer with South Asians for Harris. “Now, more people are getting involved.”
“She’s strong, she’s not naive. She has the support of young Americans, and she needs to maintain that support. If another hospital gets bombed and she remains silent, she might lose them,” Laura Keating told The Hill.
Harris had previously caused some frustration among Democrats when she responded to protesters in Detroit by saying, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then keep saying that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.” However, she was praised for her approach to similar protesters in Phoenix, where she acknowledged their voices and emphasized that she and the president are working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire and bring hostages home.
Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan commented on X, appreciating Harris’s response in Arizona and urging her to “make it happen and stop selling arms.”
However, some members of the pro-Palestinian movement remain skeptical about any significant changes. Hatem Abudayyeh, spokesperson for the Coalition to March on the DNC and national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, stated, “We see her as part of the administration, and the policies of Biden and Harris are indistinguishable.”
Abudayyeh emphasized that their strategy would remain the same in the lead-up to the Democratic National Committee, planning to mobilize tens of thousands for a protest.
The Abandon Biden campaign also cautioned against being swayed by minimal gestures when Walz was chosen as Harris’s running mate. Hudhayfah Ahmad, a spokesperson for the campaign, suggested that “the likelihood of compromise is the same whether it’s a Biden-Harris ticket or a Harris-Walz ticket,” and that the campaign would now adopt the “Abandon Harris” slogan.
With less than 100 days until the November election and only weeks before the convention in Chicago, where multiple protests are expected, the Harris-Walz ticket has limited time to address the concerns of disillusioned Democrats.
This is particularly relevant in states like Michigan, which has a significant Arab and Muslim American population that voted against Biden in notable numbers. The atmosphere at the Democratic convention could be an early indicator of whether these voters might warm up to the new ticket.
“There may be just three months left, but that’s still a considerable amount of time,” said James Zogby, a longtime DNC member.
“We’ll see what they do, but there’s potential for meaningful change.”
Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman (D), who is Palestinian and has discussed the Gaza conflict with Harris, noted that while there was “cautious optimism” when Harris became the nominee, much of that optimism was diminished after her confrontation with protesters in Detroit. However, Romman appreciated Harris’s immediate adjustment in her approach to protesters in Arizona.
“There was an opportunity to show empathy and engage in conversation rather than suggesting support for Trump,” Romman said about the Detroit rally.
“While we have a historic candidate who is clearly listening,” Romman continued, “it’s important to remember that we cannot fully celebrate this moment without seeing real change.”
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