Today, Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate, concluding a search process that involved prominent elected officials including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Despite strong backing from pro-Israeli supporters of Governor Shapiro, who once volunteered for the Israeli army, Harris ultimately selected Governor Walz to serve as the democratic vice-presidential nominee. Leaders from Arab Americans 4Ward view this choice as a reflection of the strength of the Arab American community, which has organized and mobilized to hold their elected officials accountable for the United States’ support of Israel’s ongoing campaign of genocide in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“The Harris Campaign may not explicitly state it, but the significant uncommitted vote of over 500,000 Americans played a crucial role in Vice President Harris’ decision to choose a Governor from Minnesota over one from Pennsylvania,” said Rush Darwish, an Organizer for AA4. “The Democratic party is facing heavy scrutiny regarding its longstanding Middle East policy, particularly concerning the ongoing crisis in Palestine. The uncommitted vote could grow further if swift changes are not made.”
Following President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek a second term, Vice President Harris has stepped up to energize the Democratic base. However, national groups advocating for Palestinian human rights, such as Arab Americans 4Ward, are keen to see if Harris will diverge from the Democratic Party’s historical unwavering support for Israel.Arab Americans Forward, is a group of dynamic community leaders dedicated to empowering Arab Americans. Our mission is to advocate for our community, organize impactful initiatives, and engage in outreach efforts on a wide range of social and political issues.