Cornel West, an independent presidential candidate, and his running mate Melina Abdullah, recently defended their pro-Palestinian views in a joint television interview. During the interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, they did not call on Hamas to release hostages taken from Israel in exchange for a ceasefire. They also refused to criticize Hamas for their actions in the war and did not condemn the group for the terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7. Abdullah, a board member for Black Lives Matter Grassroots, stood by a statement released by her group that framed the attacks as a desperate act of self-defense.
Abdullah emphasized the importance of understanding where uprisings come from, even if there is disagreement with the tactics used. When asked directly twice if she condemned the attacks on October 7, Abdullah declined to provide a clear answer. She expressed her discomfort with constantly being asked to condemn Hamas, stating that she is not a member of the group. West defended Hamas’ actions by referring to the October 7 attacks as a counterterrorist response. He highlighted the need to address the longstanding issue of killings and occupations in the region as the root cause of such incidents.
West and Abdullah’s remarks reflect their support for Palestinians and their criticism of the actions of Israel in the conflict. They believe that the focus should be on addressing the root causes of violence, such as the occupation of Palestinian territories, rather than condemning specific groups. The independent ticket aims to appeal to Muslim Americans and progressives who are dissatisfied with President Biden’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. West has made the conflict in Gaza a central campaign issue, calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to Israel’s occupation.
Abdullah, who was raised Baptist but is now a Muslim, has expressed strong pro-Palestinian views prior to joining West’s campaign. She believes that people of all faiths share the common desire for peace, truth, love, and justice. When asked if Hamas should release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire, West shifted the focus to Israel’s military operations and the occupation of Palestinian territories. He criticized the actions of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and emphasized the need for them to stop their actions before a ceasefire can be achieved.
West also acknowledged that Hamas bears some responsibility for causing harm to civilians but emphasized that the IDF’s actions are the primary cause of terror in the region. He believes that the IDF’s actions reach the level of genocide, and they must stop their terrorizing of Palestinians. West and Abdullah’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict aligns with their broader campaign goals of promoting peace, justice, and human rights. Their emphasis on addressing the root causes of violence and oppression reflects their commitment to advocating for marginalized and oppressed communities.
