Over the past year, we’ve watched in anguish as Gaza endures unimaginable suffering, exacerbated by the unwavering support of the American government for Israel’s actions. With the U.S. election just days away, the stakes are impossibly high — teetering between the frustrations of a Democratic administration unwilling to take a bold stance and the catastrophic alternative of another Trump presidency.
As a former staffer for Vice President Kamala Harris, I find myself grappling with feelings of betrayal. In 2020, I joined the Biden-Harris campaign out of a sense of duty — a compromise that felt necessary to prevent Donald Trump’s re-election. I believed that by 2024, the Democratic Party might be ready to embrace a bolder platform: one advocating for climate action, healthcare for all, and a progressive foreign policy. Harris herself had championed many of these ideas in her 2019 campaign.
But today, as I reflect on her refusal to break from President Biden’s unconditional support for Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, the compromise feels more like a concession. While Harris has expressed sympathy for Palestinian suffering, her campaign has failed to meet the basic demands of the Palestine solidarity movement, including calls for a ceasefire and an end to weapons transfers. This disconnect was glaringly apparent at the Democratic National Convention, where activists — myself included — protested the campaign’s refusal to allow even a single Palestinian voice to be heard on stage.
The images from Gaza are haunting. Families forcibly displaced, carrying the remnants of their lives, waving white flags. As someone who grew up learning about the Holocaust in Jewish schools and synagogues, I can’t ignore the parallels. The tragedy unfolding in Gaza is one of history’s darkest chapters.
While Harris’s stance is disappointing, the prospect of a Trump presidency is terrifying. Trump’s agenda, outlined in conservative plans like the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 and Project Esther, promises a crackdown on civil liberties, mass deportations, restrictions on abortion access, and an assault on LGBTQ+ rights. For Palestinians, his presidency would likely mean further entrenchment of Israeli policies of annexation and occupation, with little regard for human rights.
Under Trump’s administration, the pro-Palestine movement could face legal persecution. Initiatives like Project Esther aim to equate anti-Zionist activism with antisemitism, targeting organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace and American Muslims for Palestine. The movement’s momentum, painstakingly built over years, could be shattered.
It’s clear that Harris is not the progressive champion many of us had hoped for. Yet, under her leadership, there is still room to grow the movement for Palestinian rights. The shift in public sentiment toward Palestine, particularly among Democratic voters, offers an opportunity to build real political power. Legislation to block weapons transfers to Israel, co-sponsored by several Democratic senators, is a testament to the progress being made.
The movement for Palestinian rights must continue to educate, organize, and push for accountability within the Democratic Party. This includes demanding an arms embargo on Israel and holding leaders accountable for supporting unjust policies.
While it’s too late to undo the immense suffering in Gaza, it’s not too late to fight for those still at risk. The movement’s success hinges on rejecting Trump’s authoritarianism and working within the Democratic Party to build a coalition that prioritizes justice and human rights.
Progress will not come easy, nor will it come overnight. But it remains essential to block Trump’s return while continuing to hold Harris and other Democratic leaders accountable. The fight for Palestine, like all struggles for justice, demands relentless dedication — because the alternative is far too devastating to consider.
