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The biggest divisive issue facing Democrats is U.S. support for Israel Gaza WarThe issue was largely unresolved during the four-day convention, which ended on Thursday, leaving pro-Palestinian delegates unhappy with presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Harris is expected to call for an immediate end to the war and the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in her inaugural address on Thursday, according to two sources familiar with her remarks. She will not address U.S. arms sales to Israel, the sources said.
Muslim representatives and their allies have been demanding a prime-time speech to address the conflict.
A campaign spokesman declined to explain the decision not to schedule a Palestinian speaker or say whether a speaker could be added at the last minute, but sources familiar with Thursday’s programming said it was largely set. Sources familiar with the discussions said the decision was made by Democratic National Committee organizers in close consultation with the Harris campaign.
Palestinian supporters on Thursday vowed to keep up the pressure on Harris to change course on arms sales to Israel. Party insiders worry that the Gaza war could cost Harris needed votes in battleground states like Michigan, which has large Muslim and Arab American cities and college campuses that have been the site of Gaza protests.
Convention The event was held in Chicago, which is home to the largest Palestinian community in the U.S., according to the Arab American Research Institute. U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan said he had been urging the campaign to have Harris address the issue in another speech in the state.
About a dozen delegates from the National No Commitment Movement, which mobilized nearly 750,000 voters to refuse to support President Joe Biden during the primary election, took to the sidewalk outside the convention on Wednesday night to protest the Democratic National Committee’s rejection of their request to appoint a Palestinian spokesperson.
They welcomed a call by the parents of an American hostage held in Gaza to cease fire and release the hostages – Rachel Goldberg and Jon Paulin — Wednesday night, but said they, too, should be given a chance to speak.
Support the protest
Multiple groups and individuals, including the UAW and the Movement for Black Lives, issued statements in support of the protesters. The Harris-Waltz Muslim Women’s Organization said on X that it would cease operations following the DNC’s decision.
“Last night, the DNC made clear that it does not value Palestinian lives and voices. Silencing Palestinian voices while they face US-sponsored genocide, starvation, and ethnic cleansing is inexcusable,” said the Movement for Black Lives, which has more than 150 leaders and organizations.
The issue has drawn thousands of protesters this week, with police reporting dozens of arrests.
Ruwa Romman, a Georgia congressman and representative who spent the night outside the DNC, said organizers of the “Uncommitted” had been negotiating with the Harris campaign for weeks and had provided a list of possible speakers but had been rejected.
“At least give us something symbolic,” she said, adding that she and other uncommitted delegates want to support Harris but need something tangible to sway skeptical voters.
Michigan Representative Rima Mohammad, who also attended the overnight protest, said representatives will continue to pressure Harris in the coming weeks.
“This looks terrible. You’re going to lose Michigan,” said Muhammad, who teaches at the University of Michigan School of Pharmacy in Ann Arbor.
Delegates who had not taken a stance reentered the convention center arm in arm Thursday night before Harris was set to give her speech.
Only a few people at the Democratic National Convention mentioned the war. Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders and Raphael Warnock and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez all spoke about Gaza.
A major Harris campaign donor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations with the campaign, said they were concerned that if a ceasefire wasn’t reached soon and Harris didn’t make clear statements about ending the war and protecting civilians, campus protests could flare up again when colleges resume in the coming days.
“We need every vote,” the donor said.
Tariq Habash, who resigned from his top education ministry post in January in protest of the U.S. role in the war, said keeping the issue off the agenda did not help Democrats as they tried to form a “big tent” party and defeat former President Donald Trump.
“The indignities and repression that Palestinians have endured throughout this week in our country and at this gathering will not be forgotten,” he said.
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