{"id":2326019,"date":"2024-08-17T18:07:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T22:07:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-palestinian-uncommitted-movement-at-a-standstill-with-top-democrats-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-17T18:12:18","modified_gmt":"2024-08-17T22:12:18","slug":"pro-palestinian-uncommitted-movement-at-a-standstill-with-top-democrats-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pro-palestinian-uncommitted-movement-at-a-standstill-with-top-democrats-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro-Palestinian \u2018uncommitted\u2019 movement at a standstill with top Democrats &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpro-palestinian-uncommitted-movement-at-a-standstill-with-top-democrats-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2326019&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses the current status of the &#8220;uncommitted&#8221; \u200cmovement within the Democratic Party, \u2064particularly in response to\u2063 President Biden&#8217;s handling of the Israel-Hamas \u2062conflict. As the\u2064 Democratic\u200b National Convention approaches, \u2064only 36 delegates \u2062align with this movement, yet they wield significant influence due to widespread dissatisfaction with\u2062 U.S. support for Israel\u2063 amid ongoing violence\u2063 in Gaza. <\/p>\n<p>Protests are expected at the convention, reflecting the frustrations of activists calling for policy changes, \u200cincluding an arms embargo against\u2062 Israel \u2064and a\u200d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/boris-johnson-among-thousands-marching-against-anti-semitism-in-london\/\" title=\"Boris Johnson joins London&#039;s anti-Semitism march\">permanent cease-fire<\/a>. Vice President Kamala Harris\u200c has engaged with Arab American leaders, including a meeting with Dearborn&#8217;s mayor, to address these concerns despite some activists feeling \u200ctheir demands\u2062 remain unaddressed.<\/p>\n<p>During the \u200cconvention, discussions on \u200bboth Arab and Palestinian issues, as well as \u2063Jewish American concerns, are planned, highlighting\u200c the party&#8217;s \u200dattempts to \u200breconcile \u2063differing perspectives. \u200bActivists within\u2064 the &#8220;uncommitted&#8221; movement are pushing for a speaking \u200dopportunity and better representation\u200d in discussions about U.S. \u200dforeign policy, particularly regarding military support to Israel.<\/p>\n<p>In contrast, the Trump campaign is also\u2064 actively reaching out to Arab American communities, \u2062criticizing the Biden\u200c administration&#8217;s policies\u2064 and promising a more inclusive approach\u2064 if Trump is elected. The article ultimately underscores the delicate balancing act within the Democratic Party as it seeks to unify diverse factions ahead of a crucial election.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Pro-Palestinian &lsquo;uncommitted&rsquo; movement at a standstill with top Democrats<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1732417\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> Of the thousands of delegates expected to gather Monday at the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-national-convention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Democratic National Convention<\/a>, just 36 will belong to the &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; movement sparked by dissatisfaction with President <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joe-biden\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Joe Biden<\/a>&lsquo;s handling of the <a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Israel<\/a>&ndash;<a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hamas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Hamas<\/a> war.<\/p>\n<p>But that small core has outsized influence.<\/p>\n<p>Anger over U.S. backing for Israel&rsquo;s offensive in Gaza could generate unwelcome images for convention organizers, with raucous protests expected outside and potentially inside the Chicago arena where Harris will accept the nomination Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>Top Democrats have spent weeks meeting with &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; voters and their allies &mdash; including a previously unreported sit-down between Vice President Kamala Harris and the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan &mdash; in an effort to respond to criticism in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-more-votes-than-voters-in-key-swing-states\/\" title=\"Trump: More Votes Than Voters in Key Swing States\">key swing states<\/a> like Michigan, which has a significant Arab American population.<\/p>\n<p>Weeks of meetings and calls between pro-Palestinian activists and the Harris campaign have yielded progress in some areas, but their core policy demands remain unmet. The activists want Harris to endorse an arms embargo to Israel and a permanent cease-fire. Harris has supported Biden&rsquo;s negotiations for a cease-fire but rejected an arms embargo.<\/p>\n<p>Rima Mohammad, one of Michigan&rsquo;s two &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; delegates, said she sees the convention as a chance to share their movement&rsquo;s concerns with the party leadership.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is a way for protesters outside to be able to share their frustration with the party,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Democratic nominee meets a key Arab American mayor<\/h2>\n<p>Questions remain about the leverage &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; voters hold now that Biden has stepped aside and Harris has taken his place. Democrats have seen a significant surge in enthusiasm for Harris&rsquo; campaign and concerns about voter apathy in key areas, such as Detroit&rsquo;s large Black population, appear to have diminished.<\/p>\n<p>But Harris and her team have still made communication with Arab American leaders a priority.<br \/>During a campaign trip to Michigan last week, Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud, the 34-year-old mayor of Dearborn, a Detroit suburb that has the largest number of Arab Americans of any city in the United States. The meeting was disclosed by a person who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n<p>The person familiar with the meeting did not provide specific details but said the focus was on Harris&rsquo; potential policy, if elected, on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hammoud declined to comment.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and for the release of hostages,&rdquo; her campaign said in a statement. &ldquo;She will continue to meet with leaders from Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish communities, as she has throughout her vice presidency.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to a source familiar with convention planning, two panel discussions will take place during the convention in Chicago: one addressing Arab and Palestinian issues with leaders from the &ldquo;Uncommitted&rdquo; movement, and another focused on Jewish American issues, including the rise in antisemitism and hate speech.<\/p>\n<p>Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez on Thursday held separate one-on-one meetings with leaders in the Arab American community and &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; movement in metro Detroit.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;They are listening and we are talking,&rdquo; said Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, who met with Chavez Rodriguez. &ldquo;But none of us can garner votes in the community without public statements from Harris. She doesn&rsquo;t need us; she can win over votes by saying and doing the right thing.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to Siblani, Chavez Rodriguez agreed that &ldquo;the killing has to stop.&rdquo; In response, Siblani said he pressed: &ldquo;How? There is no plan.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Lavora Barnes, the Democratic chair in Michigan, said the party would &ldquo;continue working toward our goal of coming together to defeat Donald Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We are committed to continuing these conversations with community leaders, activists and organizations because we want to ensure that everyone in the Michigan Democratic Party has a seat at the table,&rdquo; Barnes said in a statement.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">No agreement on an arms embargo<\/h2>\n<p>Some on the Democratic Party&rsquo;s left have called for including a moratorium on the use of U.S.-made weapons by Israel in the platform of policy goals that will be approved during next week&rsquo;s convention. But such language isn&rsquo;t included in a draft platform party officials released earlier this summer, and it&rsquo;s unlikely that those close to Harris&rsquo; campaign would endorse including it.<\/p>\n<p>The Uncommitted National Movement has also requested a speaking slot at the convention for a doctor who has worked on the frontlines in Gaza, along with a leader of the movement. And they have asked for a meeting with Harris &ldquo;to discuss updating the Gaza policy in hopes of stopping the flow of unconditional weapons and bombs&rdquo; to Israel, said Abbas Alawieh, another &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; delegate from Michigan and one of the founders of the movement.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Abbas Alawieh, an uncommitted delegate to the Democratic National Convention, answers questions during an interview on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Dearborn, Michigan. (AP Photo\/Jose Juarez)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before a Harris rally just outside Detroit last week, Alawieh and Layla Elabed, co-founders of the movement, briefly met with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hunter-biden-defector-emails-pipeline-to-obama-admin-seen-as-currency\/\" title=\"Hunter Biden Defector Emails: &#039;Pipeline&#039; to Obama Admin Seen as &#039;Currency&#039;\">vice president<\/a>. They requested a formal meeting with Harris and urged her to support an embargo on weapons shipments to Israel. According to them, Harris seemed open to the idea of meeting.<\/p>\n<p>However, shortly after news of the meeting became public, Harris&rsquo; national security adviser Phil Gordon reaffirmed that she does not support an arms embargo. Alawieh mentioned Wednesday that the group has not received any further response from Harris&rsquo; team or the DNC regarding their requests ahead of the convention.<\/p>\n<p>Since then, leaders of the &ldquo;Uncommitted&rdquo; movement have met with senior staff from the DNC and the Harris campaign to discuss their requests.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I hope she doesn&rsquo;t miss the opportunity to unite the party,&rdquo; said Alawieh.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Trump campaign continues its outreach<\/h2>\n<p>Elsewhere in metro Detroit this week, Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump&rsquo;s youngest daughter and now a leader in his Arab American outreach, was holding meetings with various community groups. Boulos has come to Michigan often for the outreach, along with Arab Americans for Trump chair Bishara Bahbah.<\/p>\n<p>According to Bahbah, their pitch highlights the situation in Gaza under Biden&rsquo;s administration and a promise from Trump&rsquo;s team to give the community a seat at the table if he wins.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have been told by the Trump circle, which is not part of the campaign, that in return for our votes, there would be a seat at the table and a voice to be heard,&rdquo; said Bahbah.<\/p>\n<p>But any apparent political opportunity for Trump in the Arab American community or the &ldquo;uncommitted&rdquo; movement may be limited by his past remarks and policies.<\/p>\n<p>Many Arabs remain offended by Trump&rsquo;s ban, while in office, on immigration from several majority Muslim countries as well as remarks they consider insulting. Trump also has criticized Biden for not being a strong enough supporter of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to an audience of Jewish supporters Thursday, Trump painted the protesters expected in Chicago as antisemitic and invoked an Arabic term that is sometimes used by Muslims to mean war or struggle.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There will be no jihad coming to America under Trump,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>But Bahbah acknowledges that his and Boulos&rsquo; strategy isn&rsquo;t necessarily aimed at converting voters to support Trump &mdash; but to stop them from voting for Harris.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If I can&rsquo;t convince people to vote for Trump, having them sit at home is better,&rdquo; said Bahbah.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p>Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1732417\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1732417\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>**Pro-Palestinian &#8216;Uncommitted&#8217; Movement Faces Challenges with Democratic Leaders**<\/p>\n<p>DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) \u2014 Among the thousands of delegates anticipated at the Democratic National Convention on Monday, only 36 will represent the &#8220;uncommitted&#8221; movement, which has emerged due to frustration with President Joe Biden&#8217;s approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite their small number, these delegates wield significant influence. The discontent over U.S. support for Israel&#8217;s actions in Gaza could lead to disruptive protests outside and possibly inside the Chicago venue where Vice President Kamala Harris is set to accept her nomination on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>In recent weeks, top Democrats have engaged with &#8220;uncommitted&#8221; voters and their supporters\u2014this includes a previously unreported meeting between Harris and Dearborn&#8217;s mayor\u2014as they seek to address concerns in crucial swing states like Michigan that have a notable Arab American demographic. Although discussions between pro-Palestinian activists and Harris\u2019s campaign have made some headway, key demands remain unmet; activists are calling for an arms embargo against Israel and a permanent cease-fire.<\/p>\n<p>Rima Mohammad, one of Michigan\u2019s two \u201cuncommitted\u201d delegates, views the convention as an opportunity to voice their movement\u2019s issues directly to party leaders. She stated that it allows protesters outside to express their frustrations with the party.<\/p>\n<p>Questions linger about how much influence &#8220;uncommitted&#8221; voters will have now that Biden has stepped back and Harris has taken center stage. There has been a noticeable increase in enthusiasm for Harris\u2019 campaign while concerns about voter disengagement in areas like Detroit appear less pressing. Nevertheless, maintaining communication with Arab American leaders remains a priority for Harris\u2019 team.<\/p>\n<p>During her recent visit to Michigan, Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud\u2014the mayor of Dearborn\u2014who represents one of America\u2019s largest Arab American populations. While details of their discussion were not disclosed publicly due to confidentiality agreements, it reportedly centered around potential policies regarding the Israel-Hamas situation if she were elected president.<\/p>\n<p>Harris&#8217; campaign confirmed her support for ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent cease-fire in Gaza but reiterated her opposition to an arms embargo against Israel.<\/p>\n<p>At the convention in Chicago, two panel discussions are planned: one focusing on Arab and Palestinian issues featuring leaders from the \u201cUncommitted\u201d movement and another addressing Jewish American concerns such as rising antisemitism.<\/p>\n<p>Julie Chavez Rodriguez\u2014the campaign manager\u2014held individual meetings last week with various leaders from both communities in metro Detroit. Osama Siblani from The Arab American News noted that while there is dialogue happening (&#8220;They are listening&#8221;), public statements from Harris are essential for garnering votes within these communities.<\/p>\n<p>Some members on the left side of the Democratic Party advocate including language about halting U.S.-made weapon use by Israel within policy goals discussed at next week\u2019s convention; however, this proposal was absent from earlier drafts released by party officials.<\/p>\n<p>The Uncommitted National Movement also seeks speaking opportunities at conventions for frontline medical professionals working in Gaza along with its own representatives while requesting meetings with Harris regarding updates on Gaza policy aimed at curbing unconditional military aid sent to Israel\u2014a request echoed by Abbas Alawieh\u2014a delegate involved in founding this movement who expressed hope that this moment could unite rather than divide party factions ahead of elections.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Trump\u2019s campaign continues outreach efforts among Arab Americans through figures like Massad Boulos who emphasize dissatisfaction under Biden&#8217;s administration concerning Gaza while promising community representation should Trump win office again\u2014a strategy focused more on discouraging votes for Democrats than converting them outright towards Trump himself given his controversial past remarks affecting Muslim communities during his presidency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2634,"featured_media":2326020,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/uncommitted-Palestinian-delegates.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[14436,3685,38403,32179,32076],"class_list":["post-2326019","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-activism","tag-democrats","tag-political-movement","tag-pro-palestinian","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/uncommitted-Palestinian-delegates.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2326019","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2634"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2326019"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2326019\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2326020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2326019"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2326019"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2326019"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}