‘I know the dangers of a Trump presidency’: Palestinian solidarity groups pressure Harris as election looms

In the days leading up to last month's Democratic national convention (DNC), some pro-Palestinian groups and individuals expressed cautious excitement about Kamala Harris's ascent to the candidacy. Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said that there was "a sense that there's an opening" with the vice-president, referring to a possible shift in US policy on Israel's war on Gaza, while others voiced more measured optimism.

However, following the convention, during which party officials refused to allow a Palestinian to speak on the main stage, and where Harris hawkishly affirmed her support for arming Israel, many of those groups' initial hope has turned into a belief that Harris will remain in line with Joe Biden's Israel policies. The result has been a splintering of sorts: some organizations are still attempting to push Harris toward a more anti-war stance; others have decided to support Harris through the election regardless, citing the risk of a Donald Trump presidency.

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, a group that formed in early August in support of Harris, disbanded after the DNC, saying that it could not "in good conscience" continue to support the candidate. But a week later, the organization changed its position, writing in a statement: "With less than 70 days until the November election, we have to be honest with ourselves about what is at stake here for Muslim women."

In a statement to the Guardian, Muslim Women for Harris-Walz said that the group had received an outpouring of support from Muslim and Arab Americans who shared its desire for a change in Gaza policy, but who also urged the organization to not give up on the ticket.

"As Muslims, it is our duty to advocate for what is right and against what is wrong, and that often requires nuance and pragmatism. We continue to try and do the best that we can with what we have. We believe that Muslim Women for Harris-Walz has, and will continue to, play a positive role in these elections, including in our ability to advocate for the causes that matter to Muslim Americans."

But some Palestinian solidarity groups have disagreed with this approach. Tarek Khalil, a board member for the Chicago chapter of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), said he didn't understand Muslim Women for Harris-Walz's decision to backtrack and support the Democratic nominee.

"I don't know the logic behind that," Khalil said. "If the logic behind disbanding [initially] is 'You're part of this administration that's enabling this genocide and you're doing nothing about it,' that still remains true today."