Some anti-Israel voters in swing states are resisting calls to support Vice President Kamala Harris in November and vowing to stay home unless there is a ceasefire in Gaza and an arms embargo on Israel.
“This is our leverage,” Hannah Zellman, a social worker in Philadelphia, told the Washington Post about her protest vote.
Her friend Leah Shepperd, a child care worker and longtime Democrat, agreed.
“That’s all we have,” Shepperd said.
TRUMP AND HARRIS ARE TIE IN SURVEY ON THE SEVEN MOST IMPORTANT BATTLEGROUND STATES
In a new report, anti-Israel protesters expressed little enthusiasm for Vice President Harris’ campaign. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)
The swing state voters are part of a progressive movement that is putting pressure on the Harris campaign and the Biden administration to withdraw US weapons from Israel and call for a ceasefire in Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Voters in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin sent a message to President Biden in the primaries by marking “undecided” on their ballots to protest his support for Israel. After Harris was chosen as the Democratic nominee, Shepperd and Zellman signed a statement saying Harris would need to bring about a ceasefire to win their votes.
They know their boycott votes could help Harris’ opponent, former President Trump, in November. Still, liberal voters don’t feel the vice president has done enough to help the people of Gaza.
“What really helps Trump,” Zellman said, “is that this administration is not listening to voters who support a ceasefire.”
“I want to vote,” Shepperd said. “But ethically I’m stuck.”
Comedian Michael Rapaport says Harris lost his vote because of Israel: “Can’t support a party that is for this nonsense -“
US Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly met with leaders of an anti-Israel movement ahead of her campaign rally in Michigan this week. (Leigh Vogel/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Harris scolded anti-Israel hecklers during a campaign rally in Michigan on Wednesday after they disrupted her speech.
“You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say so. Otherwise, I’ll do the talking,” Harris said, drawing cheers from the audience.
Harris also reportedly spoke with leaders of the Unaffiliated movement on Wednesday.
According to a New York Times report on the conversation, the leaders of the National Uncommitted Movement emphasized their demand that the United States impose an arms embargo on Israel and also asked for a meeting with the Vice President to discuss the demand, to which she was open.
Reports of the meeting quickly sparked fears among Supporters of Israel that Harris would consider an embargo, an idea her national security adviser sought to clarify.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally in Romulus, Michigan, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
“(Harris) has been clear: She will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and the terrorist groups it supports,” said Phil Gordon, Harris’ national security adviser, in a post on X. “She does not support an arms embargo on Israel. She will continue to work to protect civilians in Gaza and uphold international humanitarian law.”
The campaign also said in a statement on Wednesday that the vice president is “focused on enforcing the ceasefire and hostage deal currently on the table. As she herself has said, it is time to end this war in a way that keeps Israel safe, releases the hostages, ends the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and allows the Palestinian people to exercise their right to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”
The Harris campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to a new poll, Harris and former President Trump are tied in seven swing states.
According to the poll, conducted by Ipsos and released this week, Harris received 42 percent of the vote in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona and Nevada. Trump received 40 percent of the vote and independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy received 5 percent.
Fox News’ Michael Lee and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.
