As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, there exists an undercurrent of discontent originating from a multitude of Muslim delegates and their allies, who are irked by the US’ support for Israel’s acts in Gaza. Going by the name ‘Delegates Against Genocide’, this pro-Palestinian faction is planning to utilise the Convention to lobby for changes in the Democratic platform, as well as an arms embargo, hinting at possible interruptions in prominent speeches.
The group, keen on utilising their freedom of speech, remains relatively secretive about their exact plans, revealing only that they aim to propose changes to the party’s platform. These actions might cause the convention floor to buzz, especially during the crucial period between Monday, when President Joe Biden is due to speak, and Thursday, with Kamala Harris’ speech, who is formally being nominated as a presidential candidate against the previous Republican president, Donald Trump.
This pro-Palestinian contingent is adamant about playing a larger role in shaping the party’s platform, advocating for the inclusion of laws that prohibit the provision of military aid to individuals or security forces that have committed serious human rights violations. However, the Harris campaign has refused to comment on this matter.
The party’s platform, made public in mid-July, calls for a sustainable and immediate ceasefire and the freeing of hostages taken to Gaza during an assault on October 7, led by Hamas fighters. The platform, while acknowledging the tragic loss of 1,200 lives as claimed by Israel during the Hamas attack, fails to reference the 40,000 casualties reported by Palestinian health authorities, or any intentions to limit US arms supply to Israel.
It’s notable that an additional $20 billion (€18 billion) worth of arms sales to Israel was sanctioned by the United States on Tuesday. While numerous mediators, including the US, have attempted to broker peace deals between Hamas, who currently governs Gaza, and Israel, using a plan proposed by Mr Biden in May, these efforts have yet to bear fruit.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, entering its eleventh month, has had a diminishing effect on the popularity of the Democratic party among Muslim and Arab-America voters – a key segment in electoral hotspots such as Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Disruptions from a small group of activists, both inside the convention and large-scale protests outside can potentially throw a spanner in the works of the Democratic party’s goal to rally its supporters behind Ms Harris after Mr Biden’s resignation from his presidential bid on July 21, amidst internal pressure from his party colleagues.
Advocates of the Palestinian cause have voiced that Ms Harris has shown more empathy towards inhabitants of Gaza compared to Mr Biden. Her security adviser, this month, stated on platform X that she was against an arms embargo on Israel.
However, post a rendezvous with Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ms Harris made it clear to the press that Israel has full rights to safeguard itself and speaking of Gaza, stressed that one must not grow insensitive to their suffering, assuring that she won’t stay silent.
It is estimated that around 40,000 demonstrators will congregate at the convention on the upcoming Monday to express their dissent against the Biden government’s stance on Israel. The organisers are anticipating that the turn out could escalate to over 100,000.