How long was the honeymoon going to last? This long, apparently.
Before Vice President Kamala Harris confronted pro-Palestinian and anti-Gaza-war protesters on Wednesday at a campaign rally in Detroit, she faced demands from the leaders of a group that has mobilized voters to protest the U.S. government’s support for Israel.
The founders of the Uncommitted National Movement, the group that mobilized more than 100,000 people to withhold their votes from President Biden in this year’s Michigan primary over his support for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, were among those invited to welcome Ms. Harris and her new running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, to Michigan in a photo line.
The protesters met with Harris and Walz to press their demands, resulting in a press release that “reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities.” What that means is unclear, but it’s not acquiescence or refusal. Harris’ position on Gaza has been typically contradictory: Israel has a right to defend itself but there should be an immediate ceasefire. Nonetheless, Harris’ empathy for innocent Palestinians is not enough.
In addition to an arms embargo on Israel, the Uncommitted leaders have asked for convention speaking roles for a representative of their group and a Palestinian pediatrician.
“I appreciate her leadership, and I know the Uncommitted voters want to support her, uncommitted delegates want to support her,” Mr. Alawieh said, “but our voters need to see her turn a new page on Gaza policy.”
A new page, indeed, as in America will abandon Israel and join Iran in support of terrorists in the eradication of Israel. Obviously, neither the Michigan Arab contingent nor the far left wing of the party will see it that way, but rhetorical gimmicks don’t stop Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, et al., from being terrorists.
Curiously, Harris’ willingness to meet and “engage” with Michigan Arabs wasn’t good enough.
Later, as Ms. Harris spoke in front of a raucous crowd that her campaign estimated at about 15,000 people at an airport hangar in Detroit, a small group of pro-Palestinian protesters shouted to interrupt her.
“Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide,” they chanted. “We won’t vote for genocide.”
Initially, Harris and her stans pretended it was no biggie. But the protesters were not to be so easily put off.
But the protesters were not ushered out quickly, and the chants continued. Eventually, the exasperated vice president made her feelings clear.
“If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that,” Ms. Harris said. “Otherwise, I am speaking.”
The protesters and their stans didn’t take well to being scolded as Harris once scolded Pence.
Labeling people who are righteously angry over mass slaughter as Trump supporters, or as wanting him to win, is unhelpful, dismissive and frankly, lazy.
Everyone, do better.
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) August 8, 2024
While the protesters are hardly ready to switch sides and back Trump, the season of discontent has begun. As Biden tried unsuccessfully to thread the needle between between supporting Israel’s efforts to defend itself against Iranian-backed terrorists who were thrilled to put Gazan lives at risk to win the hearts of the simplistic, and showing concern for the same Gazans, Harris appears to be trying to do the same, albeit with a greater display of empathy for the Gazans.
What the “Uncommitted” made clear is that words alone won’t cut it. What the protesters made clear is that they are not satisfied with Harris’ empathetic engagement and will not leave her alone until she gives in to their demands. And what Karen Attiah makes clear is what worked so well against Mike Pence is not going to play as well against another black woman, who can scold her right back.
While the vapid lovefest may continue in some quarters, at least the honeymoon on Gaza appears to have come to an end. Will Harris acquiesce to the fringe or not? Will she be able to thread the needle between fighting terrorism and surrendering to terrorism? Will the protesters be willing to give the election to Trump rather than let Harris have a pass on their “genocide”? Will the upcoming new school year bring a renewed battle for control that tests Harris’ fortitude, intelligence and will? Stay tuned.