Kamala Harris’s Missed Opportunity: Excluding Palestinian Voices in a Time of Needed Unity

Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris stood on a stage that should have been a moment of unity, a platform to bring people together, and demonstrate leadership that transcends the usual divides. Instead, it became a showcase of exclusion, a deliberate choice by Harris and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to silence Palestinian voices, a move that will haunt her campaign and the party she represents.

In a week where nearly every other nation was given a voice, where prominent figures from the Jewish community spoke passionately about the significance of their perspectives, the Palestinian people were notably absent. This wasn’t a mere oversight or an accidental omission; it was a calculated decision, one that Harris herself doubled down on when she reiterated her unwavering support for Israel. It was a stark reminder to the Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian communities that their voices, their struggles, and their hopes are secondary in the political calculus of this administration.

What makes this decision even more egregious is that it should never have been about choosing one community over another. The vast majority of Jewish people have been critical of Netanyahu and his far-right apartheid government. They don’t support the destruction and endless conflict in the region. They stand for peace, advocate for a two-state solution, and should not be unfairly associated with the oppressive actions of Netanyahu’s government. This crucial distinction, often ignored by mainstream media, reveals the broader truth that everyone is unfairly lumped into one side of a conflict that is far more nuanced. Most Jews want peace, not war, but it is those in power who perpetuate these conflicts, keeping the region in a state of turmoil. The U.S. government, at any moment, could step in and put an end to this cycle of violence, but they choose not to. Instead, they enable and support policies that continue to harm millions.

What could have been a watershed moment for Harris to bridge divides, to show that she is different, to follow through on her tough rhetoric towards Benjamin Netanyahu, turned into a predictable display of political theater—a bad dog and pony show where the stakes are real, and the consequences even more so. The Arab and Muslim communities, who may have held a glimmer of hope that Harris could be something different, were met once again with the harsh reality that she is not. As the famous saying goes, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Last night, Harris showed who she is, and it was a revelation that will resonate far beyond the confines of the DNC.

This miscalculation is not just an ethical or moral failure; it’s a strategic blunder that could cost Harris the election. With Robert Kennedy Jr. pulling his name from the ballot in many swing states, especially in Michigan, where the American Muslim community is both sizable and politically active, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Harris’s advisors, who are presumably among the most astute political minds, should have known better. This decision is bound to alienate the very voters she needs to secure these crucial states. It is almost certain that Harris will lose Michigan, a loss that could pivot the entire election.

The Muslim community, already disillusioned with the Democrats, may now see no alternative but to either abstain or, in a more devastating twist for Harris, switch their support to Donald Trump. This isn’t a baseless fear; it’s a very real possibility. The Democrats, in their arrogance or ignorance, have pushed a community that was already on the edge into the arms of the opposition. When the dust settles, and the election results are in, people will look back at this moment and wonder, “What could we have done differently?” It’s a pivotal moment, one where history is written not by grand speeches but by the voices that are silenced and the communities that are overlooked.

There will be no rallying behind Vice President Harris from the Muslim community. They’ve seen enough, and they’re not likely to forget. The Democrats will have no one to blame but themselves when they face the repercussions of this decision. This could have been different; it could have been a moment of unity, of real leadership. Instead, it’s a moment that will be remembered for what it wasn’t—a missed opportunity, a failure to lead, and a glaring example of how far Harris is from the inclusive leader she claims to be.