The Democratic National Convention is set to kick off on Monday as Gaza protests threaten to overshadow what is expected to be a show of unity for Vice-President Kamala Harris as the party’s nominee for president.
With the convention opening fewer than 80 days before the November election, tensions within the party could undercut its message of cohesion.
Vice President Harris’s campaign had hoped the Chicago convention would be a jubilant celebration following President Joe Biden’s unexpected exit from the race in July.
The weeklong event is expected to feature prominent Democrats, including President Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, and a star-studded lineup of actors and entertainers. All are set to praise Harris and deliver sharp critiques of her Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump.
However, internal divisions over the war in Gaza could disrupt the convention. Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, launched in response to a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has drawn international criticism due to the high number of civilian casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, reports over 40,000 deaths since the conflict began.
Vice President Harris, currently on a bus tour in Western Pennsylvania before heading to Chicago, has yet to clearly articulate her stance on the Gaza-Israel conflict.
While she has called for a ceasefire and urged respectful treatment of protesters at her rallies, she has not endorsed a weapons embargo against Israel, a position advocated by some progressives within the party.
This internal debate has led to concerns that the conflict could create a rift within the party, particularly at the convention. During the Democratic presidential primary earlier this year, more than 750,000 voters opted for the “uncommitted” option, signaling dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of the Gaza issue.
Although the energy behind the “uncommitted” campaign has waned slightly, the presence of these voters remains significant, especially in swing states like Michigan.
At the convention, only three dozen delegates will represent the “uncommitted” vote, but they aim to amplify the voices of hundreds of thousands of dissatisfied voters. These delegates plan to pressure the Harris campaign and the Democratic Party to adopt a more assertive stance on Gaza.
“We are challenging a status quo US policy of the past 40 years, and it won’t shift overnight,” said Samuel Doten, an “uncommitted” delegate and longtime Democratic organizer.
Despite their small numbers, these delegates are determined to advocate for a ceasefire and arms embargo against Israel, hoping to gain broader support from others at the convention. Adrita Rahman, attending the DNC for the first time as an “uncommitted” delegate, emphasized the responsibility they feel to represent the wishes of those who voted “uncommitted.”
The scale of the protests outside the convention remains uncertain. Organizers have suggested that Monday’s demonstration could draw “many thousands of people,” though earlier estimates of 100,000 protesters have been revised downward. The largest protests are expected on Monday, coinciding with President Biden’s primetime address, where he is expected to highlight his accomplishments and stress the importance of the upcoming election.
The DNC is also taking place during a critical week for US-mediated ceasefire talks. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Israel on Sunday, is expected to continue discussions in Cairo, with a decision on the ceasefire likely to emerge. This diplomatic effort puts Harris in a challenging position, as she must navigate her role within the current administration while shaping her own policy platform.
Some close to Harris suggest that a significant policy shift on Gaza is unlikely. Halie Soifer, Harris’s former national security adviser in the Senate and current head of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, stated, “Her policy, which is the policy of this White House, is not changing.”
As the convention unfolds, all eyes will be on how Harris and the Democratic Party address these internal divisions and the broader geopolitical challenges they face. The outcome could have significant implications for the November election and the future direction of the party.
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