Could the War in Gaza Cost Kamala Harris the Election?
Oct 1, 2024
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Kamala Harris, a prominent political figure and presidential candidate, delves into the challenges she faces regarding her stance on the Gaza conflict. Many Arab American and Muslim voters express discontent with the Biden Administration's policies, threatening her electoral prospects. Abbas Alawieh, a founder of the Uncommitted Movement, shares insights on the moral dilemmas faced by Muslim Democrats. With tensions rising, voters are caught between strategic voting and their principles, as candidates like Jill Stein gain traction in Michigan.
The Harris campaign is facing potential voter backlash in Michigan, particularly from discontented Muslim Americans over the Gaza conflict.
The Uncommitted Movement has emerged as a critical force, indicating the serious implications of the Democratic Party's stance on Palestinian rights.
Deep dives
The Divide Within the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party faces a significant divide over its stance on the Gaza conflict as advocates for Palestinian rights demand changes in U.S. military support for Israel. This division has grown more pronounced following Kamala Harris's alignment with Joe Biden’s policies, particularly regarding ongoing weapon shipments to Israel. During the Democratic Convention, the absence of Palestinian-American voices heightened tensions, leaving many dissatisfied with the party's approach to this critical issue. As a result, the Harris campaign is encountering increased scrutiny and reluctance to support her amongst Muslim voters in states like Michigan.
The Uncommitted Movement's Position
The Uncommitted Movement emerged as a reaction to perceived inaction from the Harris campaign regarding U.S. policy on Israel. Leaders within this movement, including Abbas Alawiyya, express frustration at Harris's inability to differentiate her stance from that of Biden, emphasizing demands for a stop to arms transfers to Israel. This group's non-endorsement served as a significant political statement reflecting a broader discontent among Michigan voters, particularly within the Muslim community. They highlighted the seriousness of the conflict, suggesting that their support hinges on a clear commitment from Harris on this pressing issue.
Political Strategy and the Path Forward
While some members of the Uncommitted Movement are willing to support Harris, many express hesitance due to the continued violence in Gaza and dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's responses. The movement recognizes that their votes could substantially impact the Michigan election, especially given the state's history of close races. Despite their opposition to Donald Trump, some voters are considering alternative options, viewing their discontent as leveraging power within the Democratic Party. This complex political landscape illustrates the dangers of alienating key demographics, as leaders in the movement seek concessions from Harris and stress that the party must address these critical concerns to secure their support.
In Michigan, many voters—particularly Arab American and Muslim voters—remain deeply upset by the Biden Administration’s support for the Israeli military, in the face of the enormous death toll in Gaza. In her Presidential campaign, Kamala Harris has not articulated any major shift in policy. Earlier in the year, during the primary elections, activists urged Democrats to check the box for “Uncommitted,” as a rebuke to Biden. But now, just weeks away from the general election, these disaffected Democrats could cost Harris the election. Andrew Marantz, who has reported on the Uncommitted Movement, talks with one of the its founders, Abbas Alawieh, about the difficult moral calculus facing Muslim Democrats, and why the Party spurned overtures from pro-Palestinian groups. The antiwar candidate Jill Stein, of the Green Party, is now polling very well with Muslim voters, and Donald Trump’s campaign is claiming that he can stop the war; however, Uncommitted leaders feel they cannot endorse Harris. In conversation with David Remnick, Marantz recalls that Hillary Clinton lost Michigan by around ten thousand votes; more than one hundred thousand people checked “Uncommitted.”
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