The ongoing rift within the Democratic Party over the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to be a point of contention, even four months after Kamala Harris’ loss in the presidential election. A recent letter addressed to DNC Chair Ken Martin and Executive Director Roger Lau from a coalition of progressive advocacy groups highlights the need for better engagement with pro-Palestinian voters within the party.
The letter, signed by IMEU Policy Project, IfNotNow, Gen-Z for Change, and Justice Democrats, accuses the Harris campaign of disregarding and villainizing Democratic voters who were opposed to Israel’s actions in Gaza. It specifically mentions instances where the campaign limited follow-up with individuals who inquired about Gaza in response to campaign text messages.
The advocacy groups are calling on the DNC to improve data collection on this issue and to investigate the Harris campaign’s handling of pro-Palestinian voter outreach as part of a promised post-election review. They are also requesting a meeting with Chair Martin to discuss their experiences engaging pro-Palestinian voters and the potential impact of Harris and President Biden’s stances on Israel and Palestine on voter turnout.
Post-election polling data from IMEU and YouGov cited in the letter indicates that ending Israel’s violence in Gaza was a top issue for nearly 30 percent of voters who supported Biden in 2020 but did not choose Harris in 2024. The groups are also advocating for limits on the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee by proposing a ban on super PAC spending in Democratic primaries.
The letter comes in the wake of protests last year over the Biden administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which highlighted a divide among traditionally Democratic constituencies. Leaders in Arab American communities have criticized the Harris campaign for strategic missteps, such as excluding a Palestinian American speaker from the Democratic National Convention and shutting down protesters who questioned her support for Israel.
The ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over Israel policy has been further fueled by recent events, such as the arrest of a Palestinian graduate student involved in anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. Pro-Palestinian groups in the U.S. are facing challenges in advocating for their cause under an administration that has been critical of their movement.
As the Democratic Party continues to grapple with internal divisions over Israel policy, it remains to be seen how these tensions will impact future elections and the party’s ability to engage with pro-Palestinian voters.
