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Anti-Israel voters pledge to vote against Harris if their demand isn’t met: ‘This is all we have’

August 10, 2024 | | Print Article

The integrity of Democrats’ battleground “blue wall” appeared at risk over one key demand from unrelenting Hamas sympathizers.

After seemingly holding sway over the final outcome of the veepstakes for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee still looked to be contending with the whims of the prominent anti-Israel sentiments permeating the left.

“This is our leverage,” said Philadelphia social worker Hannah Zellman to The Washington Post as the Jewish voter joined others in pledging against voting for Harris if a ceasefire isn’t reached in Gaza before the election.

“This is all we have,” added her friend, child-care provider Leah Shepperd as demands also included a commitment to an arms embargo on Israel rather than support of the ongoing counteroffensive prompted by the Oct. 7 terror attack. “I do want to vote. But ethically, I’m stuck.”

As arguments were presented that the protest against Harris over Israel would ultimately benefit former President Donald Trump, Zellman contended, “What’s really helping Trump is that the administration is not listening to the voters who support a cease-fire.”

Pennsylvania wasn’t the only place where voters like Shepperd who “just can’t stomach it,” were steering away from support of the Democratic ticket as the day after the vice president announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate over the Keystone State’s Jewish Gov. Josh Shapiro, terrorist sympathizing hecklers had interrupted an event in Detroit, Michigan chanting, “Kamala, Kamala, you can’t hide. We won’t vote for genocide.”

“You know what,” Harris replied, “if you want Donald Trump to win then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

A statement from the campaign asserted, “As she has said, it is time for this war to end in a way where: Israel is secure, hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinian civilians ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”

Meanwhile, the same Uncommitted National Movement that had encouraged voters in key states like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to vote uncommitted in their primaries instead of support President Joe Biden detailed a meeting with Harris Wednesday that left her team desperately clinging to riding the fence.

“The Vice President shared her sympathies and expressed an openness to a meeting with Uncommitted leaders to discuss an arms embargo,” their statement said as they “thanked the Vice President for her openness to engaging with the demands of Uncommitted voters.”

On the same matter, Harris’ national security adviser Phil Gordon posted to X Thursday, “[Harris] has been clear: she will always ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. She does not support an arms embargo on Israel. She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and to uphold international humanitarian law.”

“It’s clear to us, through her statements and what’s been leaked and conversations with people behind the scenes, she does feel differently,” Muslim advocacy organization Emgage CEO Wa’el Alzayat said in a statement reported by Politico contrasting Harris with Biden. “But those are feelings…What’s needed is an articulation of a policy vision that’s different from what we’ve seen so far.”

Recent polling conducted by the Trafalgar Group and InsiderAdvantage Polling showed Trump with an edge over Harris in five of six swing states including Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Harris had a similar advantage in Michigan, suggesting that voter turnout was going to weigh heavily on the outcome of the Nov. 5 election.

Kevin Haggerty
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