Geostrategic Media Political Commentary, Analysis, Security, Defense
Even as prominent left-leaning groups coalesce around Harris this week, they are signaling limits to their support based on how she approaches the Israel-Hamas War. Confronting Netanyahu, they urge, is key to reclaiming the support of Democrats who in battleground states like Michigan voted for “uncommitted”in the primary over President Joe Biden in protest of his Israel policy.
“If she wants to avoid his fate, she has to come up with a different policy, especially when it comes to the issue of Gaza,” said Nihad Awad, director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which has blasted the U.S. for supporting Israel’s counterattack against Hamas. “Young people, voters in the swing states who voted against Joe Biden, expect a different policy, not in tone, but in a concrete shift towards a humanitarian approach recognizing the dignity of the Palestinian people.”
But there are even differing views within the movement.
“It has not gone unnoticed that Harris has been more empathetic to the Palestinian cause than Biden. Empathetic to student protesters and mothers,” one person part of the Uncommitted movement in Michigan told POLITICO. They were granted anonymity to speak candidly about the issue.
“Vice President Harris, conveyed more sympathy for the plight of civilians in Gaza than President Biden did at any point. … And that is a positive sign,” said Abbas Alawieh, a former Hill staffer who helped lead the Uncommitted campaign in Michigan, and is one of the state’s two Uncommitted delegates to the DNC.
Alawieh added that the next step is for Harris’ nascent campaign to actually meet with protesters and be clear with them about what her possible administration would do differently.
Harris’ team is hoping to strike a balance. After meeting with Netanyahu, Harris spoke to the press about the one-on-one. A White House official, granted anonymity to speak openly, described her remarks to the media as having “something for everyone. She talked about her unwavering commitment to Israel and reminded everyone about the atrocities happening to Palestinian civilians.”
There’s been some daylight between Harris and Biden on the issue of Israel and Gaza for months. Since the beginning of the war, Harris has been telling colleagues in the administration, including Biden, that she wants the White House to show more concern publicly for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
As a result, Harris — who has roughly 100 days to persuade voters across America to embrace her after a tumultuous ticket switch — must now navigate the craggy terrain of one of the most complex international issues facing the country.
The GOP — while accepting some elements of antisemitic speech from its own ranks — has incorporated support for Israel and, by extension, reliably active Jewish voters into its platform.
The Democratic Party has tried to staunch political defections by carving something of a compromise position that allows for criticism of Netanyahu while asserting support for Israel as a non-negotiable.
