Muslim Women for Harris-Walz Disbands Over DNC’s Rejection of Palestinian Speaker

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, a group that vigorously supported the Biden-Harris campaign in 2020, has dissolved due to the Democratic National Committee’s refusal to allow a Palestinian speaker at their convention.

At a Glance

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbanded over DNC’s rejection of a Palestinian speaker
The group’s dissolution coincided with a sit-in by the Uncommitted National Movement
Progressive lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, supported the protest
The incident highlights tensions within the Democratic Party over representation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Group Disbands in Protest

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, an organization that played a significant role in supporting the Biden-Harris campaign during the 2020 election, has announced its dissolution. The group’s decision came in response to the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) refusal to allow a Palestinian speaker at their convention, highlighting growing tensions within the party over representation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The group’s statement explained their decision, saying, “We cannot in good conscience continue Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, in light of this new information from the Uncommitted movement, that VP Harris’ team declined their request to have a Palestinian American speaker take the stage at the DNC.” This move underscores the frustration felt by some party members who believe their voices are being marginalized.

The group Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbanded after the refusal by the Democratic National Committee to allow a Palestinian-American to speak this week, the group announced Wednesday on social media.
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— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 22, 2024

Sit-in and Progressive Support

The disbanding of Muslim Women for Harris-Walz coincided with a sit-in organized by the Uncommitted National Movement and their supporters outside the convention in Chicago. This protest was a direct response to the decision not to allow a Palestinian speaker on the main stage. Notable progressive figures, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, joined the sit-in physically, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez showed her support via FaceTime.

“Uncommitted delegates urge the Democratic party to reject a hierarchy of human value by ensuring Palestinian voices are heard on the main stage. We are learning that Israeli hostages’ families will be speaking from the main stage. We strongly support that decision and also strongly hope that we will also be hearing from Palestinians who’ve endured the largest civilian death toll since 1948,” the Uncommitted statement read.

The sit-in and the support from prominent Democratic lawmakers highlight the growing divide within the party over its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and representation of diverse voices.

DNC’s Response and Party Tensions

The Democratic Party’s leadership finds itself in a difficult position, attempting to balance various interests within its diverse base. The decision to invite the family of Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin to speak, while not allowing a Palestinian speaker, has drawn criticism from multiple quarters. Even some supporters of the Israeli hostages’ families, like Alana Zeitchik, have expressed support for having a Palestinian American speak on the main stage.

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz disbands after DNC rejects hosting a Palestinian speaker https://t.co/kGjZtOmmwY

— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 22, 2024

“The family of the Israeli hostage that was on the stage tonight, has shown more empathy towards Palestinian Americans and Palestinians, than our candidate or the DNC has,” Muslim Women for Harris’s statement read. “This is a terrible message to send to Democrats. Palestinians have the right to speak about Palestine.”

This incident reveals the challenges the Democratic Party faces in maintaining unity while addressing complex international issues. It also raises questions about the party’s strategy for engaging with minority communities and handling sensitive geopolitical topics in the lead-up to future elections.