Protests
Kamala Harris’ staunch support for Israel amid its ongoing conflict with Gaza has sparked widespread calls for protests from pro-Palestine groups, set to take place at various campaign events, universities, and public gatherings in the coming weeks.
Activists have expressed frustration over what they perceive as Harris’ disregard for pro-Palestine voices, as detailed by Reuters news agency.
Arab Americans, Muslims, and their allies, who were notably excluded from a speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, are planning to make their presence felt during Harris’ upcoming debate against Donald Trump in Philadelphia on September 10.
Additionally, they intend to stage demonstrations in major cities and on college campuses on October 7, marking the anniversary of the Gaza conflict. The discontent has already been evident, with protesters interrupting Harris’ speech at a rally in Savannah, Georgia, on Thursday.
Since ascending to the top of the Democratic ticket, Harris has firmly opposed reducing arms sales to Israel, a key demand from pro-Palestine groups.
This stance was reiterated in a recent CNN interview, where Harris emphasized the need for a ceasefire and a deal on hostages, but dismissed calls for limiting weapons sales.
Her position risks reopening divisions within the Democratic coalition, reminiscent of the discord experienced by President Biden before he exited his campaign on July 21. Despite a surge in Democratic enthusiasm with Harris as the nominee, her firm stance on Israel is generating significant backlash.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, voiced her disapproval of Harris’ comments on social media, accusing the vice president of enabling ongoing war crimes and genocide.
Although Harris’ campaign officials claim to have engaged with pro-Palestinian advocates and facilitated a panel discussion on the issue during the DNC, Harris’ recent hires to connect with Arab American and Muslim communities have yet to provide interviews.
The wave of protests that disrupted college campuses last spring is now spreading to battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, raising concerns among Democratic insiders about the potential loss of crucial votes in the November 5 presidential election.
Despite Harris’ national lead over Trump in recent polls, she trails in some battleground states, where voter sentiment may be swayed by her foreign policy stance.
Ahmet Tekelioglu, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Philadelphia, anticipates a large turnout of protesters during the Harris-Trump debate.
Student activists have resumed their demonstrations at Columbia University, a hub for the pro-Palestinian student movement. Elena Nissan Thomas, a student from Indiana University, expressed her frustration over Harris’ lack of action on an arms embargo despite advocating for a ceasefire.
Political analysts highlight that nearly a million Muslims voted in the 2020 election, with about 70% supporting Biden.
However, the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths and severe humanitarian crises, has led some Democratic voters to consider alternative parties.
Tanjina Islam, a DNC delegate from Georgia, lamented the lack of concern for Palestinians, warning that Harris could lose crucial votes if pro-Palestine supporters turn to third-party options or abstain from voting altogether.
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