Vice President Kamala Harris officially announced her running mate on Tuesday: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a progressive Midwesterner that has already won the hearts of many Democratic voters.
But Walz’s past stances on issues considered to be significant this election cycle have not always leaned progressive. And with Israel’s U.S.-funded military offensive in Gaza entering its 10th month, Americans critical of the Biden administration’s unconditional support are pressing the Harris campaign to be forceful in her opposition of the Israeli government if she wants their votes. So far, she’s listening.
“I think she’s shown there’s this willingness to shift. It’s a truncated timeline, so they obviously have to move very, very quickly. But I think it’s on her to call us in, to have these conversations, and to also publicly begin talking about these policy shifts,” Democratic strategist Rania Batrice told HuffPost on Tuesday. “Obviously, that’s what we’re all looking for. It’s what we’re all hoping for. But the only person who can do that is the vice president herself.”
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Like most mainstream Democrats, Walz has generally been supportive of Israel throughout his political career. As a congressman, he voted in favor of sending billions in unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, and voted on a resolution that condemned the United Nations for deciding that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal. He also went on a diplomatic trip to the Middle East, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Walz has also attended conferences held by AIPAC, a wildly influential lobbying group that gives large sums of money to help elect pro-Israel candidates in the U.S. to political office. The governor also once described Israel as a country “with a commitment to values of personal freedoms and liberties, surrounded by a pretty tough neighborhood,” according to Mark Mellman, chair of the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, in its endorsement for Walz.
Despite those stances, however, many pro-Palestinian voters are cautiously excited about the prospect of Walz becoming vice president. The governor walked the line during this year’s nationwide anti-war student protests in response to Israel’s offensive, supporting the creation of a space “where political dissent or political rallying can happen” while denouncing any acts of intimidation against Jewish or Muslim students.
Most notably, Walz expressed empathy and understanding when about 20% of Minnesota’s Democratic voters cast their primary ballots earlier this year for “uncommitted,” a movement where Americans showed their opposition to the Biden administration’s Gaza policy by engaging in a protest vote. The nationwide movement ― which was most concentrated in Michigan and Minnesota ― resulted in 30 “uncommitted” delegates for this month’s DNC.
“These are voters that are deeply concerned, as we all are. The situation in Gaza is intolerable, and I think trying to find a solution … and asking us to get to a cease-fire,” Walz told CNN in March. “That’s what they’re asking to be heard, and that’s what they should be doing.”
“We start bringing these folks back in, and we listen to what they’re saying,” he continued. “That’s a healthy thing that’s happening here.”
Many of the pro-Palestinian groups said that they’re cautiously supporting Walz for that exact quality ― he is someone who will listen and be open to shifting perspective.
“I think we see him as somebody who we can work with. Is he perfect? No. Is he somebody that we’re going to agree with on absolutely everything? No,” Batrice said. “But is he somebody that is clearly thoughtful and nuanced, and will sit down with us and learn and take the time to educate himself and make decisions that are rooted in humanity ― and he always kind of uses the term about us all being neighbors ― we see that opportunity with him.”
A spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
Progressives also see Walz as a significantly better choice than Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the other potential choice for running mate. Shapiro, a more moderate Democrat compared to Walz, faced heat for comparing the campus protesters to the Ku Klux Klan. He also volunteered on a military base in Israel, and wrote an article in reaction to the Oslo Accords arguing Palestinians “are too battle-minded to be able to establish a peaceful homeland of their own.”
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Some pro-Palestinian groups and Uncommitted delegates stated that they will fully mobilize for the Democratic ticket if Harris and Walz make it clear that they would stop sending U.S. weapons for Israel to use on Palestinians, and demand a permanent cease-fire. And the presumptive Democratic presidential and vice presidential nominees are so far giving those voters some hope that the existing shift in rhetoric will transfer into action.
“The Biden administration’s unconditional support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza has tarnished Democrats’ longstanding support from Palestinian, Arab, Muslim and progressive communities, and it will take real change in policy to repair that damage,” multiple pro-Palestinian groups led by the IMEU Policy Project said in a joint statement.
“Today was another sign that our collective power can create a historic shift in the Democratic Party,” it continued. “Away from militarism and impunity for Israel’s war crimes, and toward peace, justice and equality for all people – including the Palestinian people.”
