US Muslim women’s campaign group disbands after Palestinian speaker denied at DNC

LONDON: A prominent Muslim women’s campaign group supporting Kamala Harris in the US election has disbanded in protest against the Democratic Party.

It followed a denied request from the group, Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, for a Palestinian speaker to be given a slot at the Democratic National Convention.

The convention has been mired in controversy as pro-Palestine Democrats voice their criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s stance on Israel.

Uncommitted delegates who were elected on pro-Palestine positions in state primaries traveled to the DNC this week to encourage Harris to host a Palestinian speaker on stage, The Independent reported.

But Michigan delegate Abbas Al-Awieh, spokesperson for the delegates, said he received a phone call telling him “the answer is no.”

Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, which is affiliated with the delegates, announced that it was ending operations in protest.

In a statement, it said it “cannot in good conscience” continue to support the Harris campaign. The pro-Palestine delegates also staged a rally outside the DNC.

“This is a terrible message to send to Democrats. Palestinians have the right to speak about Palestine. We pray that the DNC and VP Harris team makes the right decision before this convention is over. For the sake of each of us,” the statement said.

Al-Aweih said the “decision to suppress us is unacceptable,” adding: “I’ve run out of options from my position as a delegate, so I’m leaning into my power as an everyday person. And I’m not going anywhere.”

The uncommitted delegates pledged to continue protesting outside the convention until their demands are met.

They received support from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who told them that requesting a Palestinian speaker is “not an irrational thing to ask for, it’s a basic thing to ask for.”

In US states with large Arab-American populations such as Michigan, Minnesota and North Carolina, Democratic voters showed strong support for pro-Palestine delegates earlier this year.

The Arab-American voting bloc could prove key in Harris’ chances of victory in November’s election.

Margaret DeReus, executive director for the Institute for Middle East Understanding, told The Independent: “I think we’re (at) a moment of real opportunity where Vice President Harris can turn the page on what has been a disastrous chapter in President Biden’s administration.

“I think Biden should realize that if he wants Vice President Harris to win in November, there are things that he could do as president now to make that more likely.

“And I think she can indicate, and should indicate, how her administration would be different in terms of its policies on Gaza.”