Vice President Harris Faces Backlash from Key Voter Group Ahead of Michigan Visit

Uncommitted National Movement Declines to Endorse Harris Over Israel-Palestine Conflict

As Vice President Kamala Harris prepares for her upcoming visit to Michigan on Thursday, a national group that mobilized primary voters to cast “uncommitted” ballots against President Biden has announced it will not endorse her. This decision highlights ongoing tensions over U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel amid the escalating conflict in Gaza.

The Uncommitted National Movement, which originated in Michigan and has gained traction nationwide, stated that their decision stemmed from Harris’s failure to engage with Palestinian American families who have suffered losses in Gaza. The group had requested a meeting to discuss their demands for halting arms shipments to Israel, but did not receive a response by their September 15 deadline. In their statement, they expressed frustration: “Vice President Harris’s unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy or to make a clear statement supporting human rights law has made it impossible for us to endorse her.”

Harris is set to appear at a campaign event in a Detroit suburb alongside Oprah Winfrey, marking her third trip to Michigan since announcing her presidential run. The state holds significant importance, especially given its large Arab American population, many of whom participated in the “uncommitted” voting trend against Biden in March’s primary.

In its announcement, the Uncommitted National Movement also urged members to vote against former President Donald Trump, whom they accused of exacerbating the crisis and suppressing pro-Palestinian voices. They advised against third-party candidates, warning that such votes could inadvertently aid Trump’s campaign.

The group’s decision is not entirely surprising, as public tensions with Harris’s campaign have been evident. Last month, when two leaders from the Uncommitted Movement met with her briefly, they sought a dialogue on an arms embargo but were met with resistance from her team, who emphasized that Harris does not support such measures.

Tensions escalated during the recent Democratic National Convention, where the group’s request for a speaker of Palestinian descent was denied, leading to a sit-in protest outside the event. This decision reflects a broader frustration among some Democratic voters who had hoped Harris’s presidency would bring meaningful change to U.S. policies toward Israel.

With the war in Gaza resulting in significant casualties, including over 40,000 Palestinian lives lost, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. The Uncommitted Movement highlighted their growth as a grassroots initiative, focusing on the need to advocate for lives affected by ongoing violence.

Despite Harris’s vocal concerns about the humanitarian impact of the conflict, she has been reticent to propose major shifts in U.S. foreign policy. In a recent interview with the National Association of Black Journalists, she reiterated the Biden administration’s stance, emphasizing the urgency of brokering a cease-fire while also supporting a pause on certain bomb shipments.

“We need to get this deal done, and we need to get it done immediately,” Harris stated, underscoring her commitment to resolving the crisis. However, as the election approaches, her campaign faces mounting pressure from a segment of the electorate seeking stronger action and accountability regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.