Uncommitted National Movement reveals why Kamala Harris 'made it impossible' for them to endorse her

WASHINGTON, DC: The Uncommitted National Movement has announced its decision to not endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, citing dissatisfaction with her handling of US policies towards Gaza.

Despite opposing former president Donald Trump and cautioning against third-party candidates, the pro-Palestinian group made it clear on Thursday, September 19, that Harris failed to address key concerns of the movement. 

Uncommitted National Movement criticizes Kamala Harris for lack of response on Gaza ceasefire

According to the group, Kamala Harris did not respond to their requests to meet with Palestinian families in Michigan or discuss a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza by their requested deadline of September 15. 

At a press conference on Thursday, September 19, Abbas Alawieh, founder Uncommitted National Movement and a delegate from Michigan, expressed the group’s frustration with Harris' stance.

"Vice-President Harris’ unwillingness to shift on unconditional weapons policy or to even make a clear statement in support of upholding existing US and international human rights law has made it impossible for us to endorse her,” Alawieh said. The movement also released a formal statement outlining their position.

The Uncommitted National Movement was formed earlier this year during the Democratic primaries as President Joe Biden ran largely unopposed.

Supporters of the movement, who were dissatisfied with Biden’s stance on Gaza, used the “uncommitted” option on ballots as a form of protest against the administration.

The group also claims it was "one of the first organized efforts to spotlight Biden's electability issues."

Kamala Harris' team fails to meet the Uncommitted National Movement’s demands, says Abbas Alawieh

Last month, after the Democratic National Convention, leaders of the Uncommitted National Movement sent a letter to Kamala Harris and her senior advisers.

They voiced their discontent with the DNC’s refusal to allow a Palestinian American to speak and reiterated demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.

In response, Harris’ team stated that “they don’t have particular engagements that they can point us to, but they can keep us updated as things develop,” Alawieh explained, reported the Guardian.

Harris’ campaign, however, added that it would remain open to engaging with communities on key issues.

Despite the disappointment, the Uncommitted National Movement's leaders, who mobilized 740,000 Americans to vote “uncommitted” or its equivalent during Democratic primaries, are also keenly aware of the dangers posed by Trump’s potential return to power.

Uncommitted National Movement stresses on the importance of opposing Donald Trump 

Uncommitted National Movement leader and Palestinian-American Lexis Zeidan said that despite months of urging Kamala Harris to alter her Gaza policies, which they claim led to over 41,000 Palestinian deaths since October 7, they received no substantive response.

Alawieh added that the movement still opposes a Trump presidency, stating, “At this time, our movement opposes a Donald Trump presidency whose agenda includes plans to accelerate the killing in Gaza while intensifying the suppression of anti-war organizing.”

Another leader of the Uncommitted National Movement, Layla Elabed, reiterated the movement's warning against voting for third-party candidates in swing states, which could unintentionally result in Trump's victory.

"We urge uncommitted voters to register anti-Trump votes and vote up and down the ballot. Our focus remains on building this anti-war coalition, both inside and outside the Democratic party,” Elabed said.

She also criticized pro-war forces like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, saying, “They want to drive us out of the Democratic party, but we won’t concede. We’re here to stay.”