During the Democratic primary, nearly 1 million voters expressed their dissatisfaction with President Biden’s response to Israel’s war in Gaza by casting their ballots for a version of “uncommitted.” With Mr. Biden now out of the race and Vice President Kamala Harris set to be formally nominated, the 30 Democratic delegates affiliated with those “uncommitted” voters are seeking to make their influence known at the party’s convention in Chicago later this month. Pro-Gaza organizers are pushing for language in the party’s platform supporting a cease-fire and an arms embargo on Israel’s assault on Palestinians, as well as engaging with Harris and others on Gaza-related policy.
The group’s main goal is to secure speaking slots at the convention for Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a humanitarian doctor with Doctors without Borders who has worked in Gaza, and one of their delegates. They are using a social media campaign to pressure convention organizers and draw parallels between Haj-Hassan’s potential speech and civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer’s speech in 1964 about racism in Mississippi. Uncommitted delegate Bart Dame emphasized the importance of uplifting dissenting voices within the party and sharing eyewitness testimony of human rights abuses.
The uncommitted group has formally submitted their requests to the Democratic National Committee and the convention committee, but there has been no indication yet that their demands will be met. DNC convention officials stated that no final programming decisions have been made beyond the nominee acceptance speeches. The draft platform adopted by the DNC includes supporting a two-state solution and mentions of Mr. Biden’s efforts to broker a cease-fire deal. Pro-Gaza demonstrations outside the convention in Chicago are expected, with increased security measures being established.
Harris, after meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Israel has a right to defend itself, but emphasized the importance of how it does so. She has pushed for a cease-fire deal, condemned violence, and expressed support for a two-state solution. Harris has been criticized for not doing enough to stop the supply of American bombs to Israel but has garnered some support from pro-Gaza activists and former White House staffers who resigned over the war in Gaza. She has also expressed a willingness to engage in deep discussions on the conflict.
Georgia State Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian-American, supports the uncommitted delegation’s push for convention speakers and has had one-on-one conversations with Harris about Gaza. While she did not disclose specific responses from Harris, Romman notes a cautious optimism among pro-Gaza voters and the desire for policy changes to stop the violence. The movement for uncommitted delegates continues to push for their voices to be heard at the convention and for a shift in policy towards the conflict in Gaza.
