Democratic US VP nominee Tim Walz attempts to court Muslim voters in online event

Minnesota Governor and US vice presidential hopeful Tim Walz spoke at an online event for Muslim voters Thursday evening, in an effort to court a demographic of voters that have become increasingly sceptical of the current Democratic administration.

In his online appearance, Walz addressed Emgage Action's "Million Muslim Votes: A Way Forward" summit. This comes at a sensitive time when many Muslim-Americans are losing faith in both major parties and when Democratic Party leaders are facing growing pressure over their 'ironclad' support for Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to widen war in the region.

Walz, coming fresh off the vice presidential debate just two days earlier, was quick to express empathy with Muslim Americans.

"I know the pain of this community is deep. Our hearts are broken," he said, referring to Israel's year-long war on Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon and attacks on other countries in the region.

"This war must end, and it must end now. The vice president's working every day to ensure that. To make sure Israel secures itself, the hostages are home, the suffering in Gaza ends now, and the Palestinian people realise the right to dignity, freedom and self-determination," said the Minnesota governor, who is popular with his state's large Somali community.

He also said that Muslims would have a voice in the Democratic administration, though didn't offer details as to how or how their policies would differ from the current administration.

Emgage Action gave their presidential endorsement for Vice President Kamala Harris last week, though with the caveat that she needs to be more vocal on criticising Netanyahu's escalating attacks in the region. The Muslim political engagement group have faced their own criticism for endorsing Harris before she has made any clear policy breaks from President Joe Biden.

"We believe that the Harris-Walz ticket offers the best path forward to protecting our rights at home and bringing the war to an end," Emgage wrote on Twitter following the online event. 

"We are clear in our endorsement that we oppose the current policies that have provided Israel with unconditional military aid. We are also clear-eyed that the potential return of Donald Trump poses a grave threat to Muslim communities both at home and abroad," they continued.

Other speakers at the event included progressive Democratic leaders, including Representative Ro Khanna of California, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and former Michigan representative Andy Levin, who expressed views similar to those of Emgage related to the presidential race, in that they are not fully aligned with the Democratic ticket. Still, they see it as the best way to preserve democracy and move towards long-term progressive policies.