In a significant move, the Uncommitted Movement of pro-Palestinian Democrats has declared its decision to withhold the endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. The group's announcement on Thursday highlighted its displeasure with Harris's refusal to shift on unconditional weapons policy and her failure to make a clear campaign statement in support of upholding existing U.S. and international human rights law. This decision comes as the group expresses staunch opposition to former President Donald Trump and emphasizes the potential harm of third-party candidates inadvertently aiding his re-election.

According to a news release shared with NBC News prior to its official release, the Uncommitted Movement expressed disappointment with Harris's response to their requests. The group criticized the Vice President for not allowing a Palestinian American speaker at last month's Democratic National Convention, referring to it as a "fumble" and a missed opportunity for a small gesture. Despite their attempts to engage with Harris, the group claimed that the Vice President's campaign had sidelined disillusioned anti-war voices while courting former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Vice President Harris's campaign has not yet responded to the Uncommitted Movement's announcement. The group emphasized that their central concern, shared by pro-Palestinian voters, is to prevent Trump from carrying out his agenda, which includes plans to escalate violence in Gaza and suppress anti-war activism. They urge "Uncommitted" voters to vote against Trump and avoid third-party candidates, as Trump himself has claimed that their presence benefits his candidacy.

The Uncommitted Movement's concerns are fueled by the rising popularity of Green Party nominee Jill Stein and left-wing third-party candidate Cornel West, who have actively focused on rallying support among those sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. Both Stein and West have recently selected Muslim American running mates and addressed a gathering of disaffected Arab Americans in Dearborn, Michigan. Polls conducted by interest groups indicate that Stein and West are performing significantly better among Muslim and Arab Americans than they are among the wider American population.

The Uncommitted Movement was born out of dissatisfaction among Democratic voters during this year's primaries. As President Joe Biden essentially ran unopposed, voters who wished to express their discontent with his support of Israel's bombardment of Gaza after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks chose the "uncommitted" option on ballots. More than 700,000 voters selected "uncommitted," resulting in 30 uncommitted delegates being sent to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Although the uncommitted bloc was outnumbered by the convention's thousands of delegates, it made a significant impact by demanding recognition and the opportunity to influence the party's platform and rules. While delegates favored Harris over Biden due to their belief that she was more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and open to persuasion, their quest to have a Palestinian American speaker included in the convention's schedule was denied. In response, they staged a sit-in outside the convention hall and set a new deadline for a meeting between Harris and Palestinian American families in Michigan who had lost loved ones in Gaza. However, the request was rejected, leading to the Uncommitted Movement's decision not to endorse Harris.

Though the Uncommitted Movement is withholding their endorsement from Harris, they are still actively pushing their supporters to vote against Trump and avoid third-party candidates. Their loyalty to the Democratic Party remains unwavering, as they assert their commitment to staying within the party while confronting pro-war forces such as AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), the influential pro-Israel lobbying group.

As the election nears, it remains to be seen how this withholding of endorsement from the Uncommitted Movement will impact Vice President Harris's campaign and her ability to rally support among pro-Palestinian voters. The decision highlights the complex dynamics at play within the Democratic Party, where various factions and concerns must be navigated in the pursuit of broad-based support.