Growing discontent: Harris support for Israel sparks fresh wave of demonstrations

Pro-Palestinian groups are organising protests at campaign stops, colleges, accusing Harris of ignoring their concerns

WASHINGTON:

Kamala Harris’ unwavering support for Israel as it continues its military campaign in Gaza is igniting calls for renewed protests at her campaign events, universities, and public gatherings. Activists told Reuters that Harris is disregarding pro-Palestinian perspectives, further fuelling discontent among these groups.

Arab Americans, Muslims, and their allies, who were denied a speaking platform at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, plan to stage protests during Harris' debate against Donald Trump in Philadelphia on September 10. Additionally, demonstrations are expected across major cities and university campuses on October 7, marking the anniversary of the Hamas attack.

On Thursday, activists disrupted a Harris speech in Savannah, Georgia. Since taking over the Democratic presidential ticket from President Joe Biden, Harris has made it clear that she will not consider halting arms sales to Israel — one of the key demands from pro-Palestinian advocates.

In an interview with CNN, she reiterated, "No, we have to get a (ceasefire and hostage) deal done," when asked about limiting US weapons sales to Israel.

Harris’ firm stance on this issue risks deepening the divisions within the Democratic Party that troubled Biden before he stepped down from his campaign on July 21. While her candidacy initially sparked a wave of enthusiasm, these tensions could weaken the coalition of voters needed for the 2024 election.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman elected to the US Congress, criticised Harris’ CNN interview, stating on social media, "That's right. War crimes and genocide will continue."

Despite Harris’ team stating that they have engaged with pro-Palestinian advocates and allowed space for discussion at the DNC, the dissatisfaction within these communities remains strong. Harris has also hired two officials to engage with Arab American and Muslim communities, though they have not been made available for interviews.

Protests that previously rocked college campuses are beginning to resurface in key states like Michigan and Pennsylvania. Democratic insiders are concerned that Harris could lose crucial votes in the November 5 presidential election, especially in swing states where margins are expected to be tight. Although Harris leads Donald Trump in most national polls, she trails in some battleground state surveys, making these protest movements a growing concern for her campaign.

Ahmet Tekelioglu, executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Philadelphia, expects thousands of demonstrators to gather during the Harris-Trump debate. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian student protests have resumed at Columbia University, a hotspot for activism. Indiana University student Elena Nissan Thomas, who participated in a DNC protest, expressed frustration with Harris, stating, "I don’t understand Vice President Harris saying she supports a ceasefire and doing nothing to do an arms embargo."

An estimated one million Muslim voters participated in the 2020 US presidential election, with approximately 70% backing Biden. Many of these voters are concentrated in battleground states, and their support could be critical for Harris. However, disillusionment within these communities is growing, with some shifting their support to third-party candidates.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated on October 7, when Hamas launched an attack, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths. Israel’s retaliatory strikes, backed by US support, have since killed around 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of Gaza, creating a severe humanitarian crisis.

Tanjina Islam, a DNC delegate from Georgia, expressed her internal conflict: while she wants to support Harris, she is disheartened by the administration’s stance on Palestine. "Everybody is hurting," she said, noting that many Democratic voters — including Jewish Voice for Peace, students, Black Muslims, and Arabs — are deeply affected. Islam believes Harris’ stance could cause significant voter loss in Georgia, either through lower voter turnout or defections to third-party candidates.