Walz pledges Muslim representation if elected, reiterates Harris campaign's support for Israel

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz has promised Muslim Americans an equal role in a potential Harris-Walz administration, as he and Kamala Harris work to regain support from Muslim voters disillusioned by US backing of Israel in its ongoing war on Gaza.

Speaking at an online event organised by Emgage Action, a Muslim advocacy group endorsing Harris, Walz said the campaign was commited to engaging Muslim communities as condemned anti-Islamic sentiments, particularly those that he said were promoted by Donald Trump.

Walz reiterated Harris’s stance on Israel, which includes continued support while advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.

He assured that Muslim Americans would have a voice in the administration, stating, "Muslims will be engaged in this administration and serve side by side."

The Harris-Walz campaign faces an uphill battle to win back disaffected voters, especially in key battleground states like Michigan, where the Muslim population could influence the outcome of the election.

Despite Emgage’s endorsement, some Muslim groups have withheld their support due to the Democratic Party’s rejection of a Palestinian speaker at their convention and Harris’s alignment with Biden’s policies on Israel.

These voters are particularly frustrated by the situation in Gaza.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an October 7 attack by Hamas.

More than 41,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 87,700 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Almost a year into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling years-long blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

As the Israel spreads the conflict across multiple fronts, the violence shows no signs of abating. Israel, in addition to Lebanon, Palestine and Iran, has also been carrying out attacks on Syrian territory.

During the event, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Senator Chris Van Hollen hinted at the possibility of Harris taking a different approach to the Middle East than Biden.

Ellison remarked that while he couldn't guarantee sweeping changes, the Harris administration would be more open to dialogue, stating, "We’ll be pushing on a door that’s not locked."

Previously, major Muslim, Arab American, and pro-Palestinian organisations state that they were excluded from a recent White House outreach effort addressing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The White House stated that Phil Gordon, Vice President Kamala Harris’ national security adviser, met virtually with "Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian American community leaders" to discuss US efforts to end the Gaza war.

However, prominent groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Public Affairs Council were not invited, leaving many feeling sidelined.

James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, criticized the meeting for lacking representation from key Palestinian leaders and organisations.

He described it as a "check the box" effort, missing an opportunity to engage with the community's recommended voices.