On Monday, a protest called “Flood NYC for Gaza” was organized by the group Within Our Lifetime. This group has led large protests in New York City since the Hamas attack on October 7, sometimes shutting down roads, trains, and parts of the airport. The group’s founder, Nerdeen Kiswani, has called for “Zionists” to be removed from the city, and critics have accused the group of antisemitism.
Thousands gathered at Union Square in Manhattan and marched to Washington Square Park. During the protest, some people waved flags from anti-Israel groups.
The White House strongly criticized Labor Day protesters who carried flags of Hamas and Hezbollah. They said there’s no place for antisemitism in America and condemned anyone supporting these terrorist groups.
The White House also noted that the protest was offensive because it happened on the same day as the funeral for an Israeli-American who had been a hostage killed by Hamas.
The Labor Day protest isn’t the first time Within Our Lifetime has had symbols of terrorists at their events. In June, the group held at least two anti-Israel demonstrations in New York City. During these protests, some people waved Hamas and Hezbollah flags and displayed a portrait of Yahya Sinwar, who is known for masterminding an attack on October 7. New York City Mayor Eric Adams called this display “pure antisemitism.”
The protestors have forced the White House to voice opposition to pro-Palestinians at a time when VP Kamala Harris is struggling to win their vote.
Late last month, Vice President Kamala Harris met briefly with Layla Elabed and Abbas Alawieh from the Uncommitted movement ahead of a Michigan rally. It was the first face-to-face meeting between Harris and a pro-Palestine group since she became the Democratic nominee.
During their short talk, Harris showed some “understanding of Palestinian issues.” However, the Uncommitted movement leaders wanted more than just sympathy. They’re asking for a formal meeting to discuss policy changes.
A disappointed Elabed said, “Her empathy towards me, towards Palestinians, did feel genuine,” she said. “But that’s not enough, right? Palestinian children can’t live off of prayers and sorrows.”
The Uncommitted movement, which got 700,000 votes during Biden’s primary, has been pushing for an arms embargo. Elabed asked Vice President Harris for a formal meeting to discuss this embargo. Harris agreed to meet but didn’t say if or when she would work on the arms embargo.
President Biden has previously tried to propose a ceasefire to Israel’s leaders, but those efforts haven’t worked. He hasn’t called for an arms embargo, and many people think cutting off weapons is the only way to stop the violence in Gaza. The U.S. has provided Israel with at least 12.5 billion dollars in military aid since the war started.
When Harris announced her candidacy, the Uncommitted movement hoped she would be more open to stopping the supply of weapons to Israel. But she hasn’t changed her policy.
At the Michigan rally, after meeting with the Uncommitted movement, Harris publicly criticized protesters asking for a ceasefire.
When two activists interrupted her speech, she told them that if they wanted Donald Trump to win, they should say so; otherwise, she needed to continue speaking. Elabed, who had talked with Harris earlier that day, felt let down.
The day after the August Michigan rally, the Uncommitted movement sent a press release about their meeting with Harris and asked for a formal meeting to discuss stopping weapons.
Less than an hour after the press release, Phil Gordon, Harris’ national security advisor, made it clear that Harris does not support stopping the flow of weapons to Israel. He said she would keep working to protect civilians in Gaza and follow international humanitarian laws.
The International Court of Justice suggested in July that stopping arms shipments to Israel might be necessary to follow those laws. It’s unclear what steps Harris is taking to uphold these laws and protect civilians. On the same day Gordon reaffirmed Harris’ stance, Israel bombed schools in Gaza City, according to reports.
There is no easy way for Harris to overcome her Palestine problem. Emboldened by progressive support within her party, movements like Uncommitted may destroy the shaky foundation of Harris’s entire campaign.
