CHICAGO – A faction of uncommitted delegates attending the Democratic National Convention, along with their supporters, issued a warning to Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday. They voiced concerns that her chances of winning the presidential election remain jeopardized due to her reluctance to adopt demands for an arms embargo and an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.

The group also indicated they could not ensure there would be no disruptions within the convention hall during the week.

“We want our voices to be acknowledged in a way that drives progress,” stated Layla Elabed, a Palestinian-American from Dearborn, Michigan. She is one of the founders of the Uncommitted National Movement, which emerged to encourage President Joe Biden’s administration to advocate for an Israeli cease-fire by withholding support in this year’s primaries for his renomination.

In total, only about 30 delegates—less than 1% of the 4,995 total—were seated as uncommitted delegates, representing a few states.

However, following Biden’s withdrawal and Harris receiving enough votes to become the Democratic nominee late last month, the uncommitted delegates and their allies have been rallying Harris delegates to identify themselves as cease-fire delegates, insisting they be granted time and opportunity to speak out during the convention.

As of Monday morning, leaders reported that over 160 Harris delegates had pledged to regard themselves as cease-fire delegates. This doesn’t necessitate a formal vote—since it’s not part of the party platform—yet they plan to endorse cease-fire letters, wear pins or slogans related to cease-fires, and may amplify their voices more forcefully if protests erupt on the convention floor throughout the week.

The group has secured some concessions, including a designated area at McCormick Place, a vast convention venue.

The Democratic Party is utilizing a hall for various briefings and events outside the main convention stage at the United Center. These include news conferences, personal accounts from doctors and others, as well as a vigil for those who have lost their lives since Israel commenced its counter-offensive against Hamas following the attack in October.

A notable panel discussion was scheduled for Monday afternoon at McCormick Place, which featured Elabed, the sister of U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, who is also the only Palestinian-American woman in Congress. The discussion included Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive care surgeon with experience in Gaza, Hala Hijazi, a Democratic Party organizer who lost family members in Gaza, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and other speakers focusing on Palestinian human rights.

The event gathered more than 150, nearing 200 attendees, many sporting kaffiyehs and advocating for “Democrats for Palestinian Rights.” Organizers mentioned it was the first instance of the Democratic Party incorporating such a panel as an official part of its convention.

However, a request for a Palestinian-American leader to address the main stage of the convention has yet to be fulfilled, despite various names being put forward.

“They haven’t declined,” Elabed expressed with optimism.

President Biden was scheduled to speak at the convention Monday night, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the Middle East advocating for what he described as “perhaps the last opportunity” for a cease-fire arrangement between Israel and Hamas.

In the lead-up to the convention, Harris connected with pro-Palestinian activists, including a brief meeting with Elabed and Alawieh before a recent rally in metro Detroit.

Last week, she dispatched her campaign manager and others for discussions with Arab-American and Jewish leaders in southeastern Michigan.

A contingent of uncommitted delegates—including one delegate pledged to Harris, Illinois State Rep. Lilian Jimenez—met with reporters on Monday morning, delivering strong critiques aimed at both the Biden administration and Harris.

While they have not joined the larger group of demonstrators rallying outside the United Center against Biden’s stance on Israel, the members of this group voiced that Harris has not articulated a plan to urgently address civilian casualties in Gaza. Without this assurance, they claimed they cannot effectively advocate for her among voters.

Abbas Alawieh, a co-founder of the uncommitted movement and an uncommitted delegate from Dearborn, stated that “trust us” is insufficient from the Harris campaign, particularly among Arab-American and Muslim communities.

“We need Vice President Harris to outline how she would differ in action from the Biden administration, which has called for a cease-fire but has not leveraged U.S. aid to Israel to secure one,” Alawieh stressed.

Elabed, who is not a delegate, expressed concern that Harris’ chances of securing Michigan and other pivotal states are diminished due to her lack of a clear cease-fire stance and refusal to halt arms supplies to Israel.

Nonetheless, Harris’ popularity has shown significant improvement in recent weeks compared to the Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, especially in battleground states. It remains uncertain if a stronger opposition to Israel’s counter-offensives would negatively impact Harris’ electoral prospects.

One uncommitted delegate, Yaz Kader, remarked that there is overwhelming agreement among Democrats regarding the necessity of a cease-fire and an arms embargo.

“There is widespread support for these two measures,” he announced.

Recent polls, however, indicate lower levels of backing. A national poll by The Economist/YouGov conducted last May revealed that 81% of Democrats favored a cease-fire, with only 19% opposed or unsure. When asked if they would still support a cease-fire if Hamas did not release all remaining hostages, Democratic support dropped to 43%, with 57% either opposed or uncertain.

Alawieh recounted that he faced insults earlier when he proposed a more compassionate policy for Gaza during a virtual meeting of Michigan delegates, claiming that such dismissiveness is symptomatic of a broader issue affecting perceptions towards Palestinians.

“These are actual people facing loss of life in Gaza. This violence needs to end immediately,” Alawieh urged. “In my view, this is a matter Vice President Harris can begin addressing straight away.”

During the afternoon meeting, Haj-Hassan shared the heartbreaking story of a severely injured boy, who lost his family—including his sister—in a bombing. She quoted him saying, “Everyone I love is in heaven. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Overcome with emotion, Elabed stepped out of the room for a moment.

Hijazi, a self-described moderate Democrat from northern California, expressed her anguish about the loss of numerous relatives. She expressed regret for not taking her Palestinian family’s situation seriously earlier, reflecting on their reassurances during her conversations with them.

“They were never really okay,” she lamented near tears. “I am ashamed; I feel like a fraud for not advocating more over the last 25 years.”

Regarding Harris, whom she has known for many years, Hijazi stated, “She is trying. We need to hold her accountable, but we also need to allow her the opportunity.”