Conflict Over Silence: DNC's Divisive Stance on Gaza War

The Democratic Party's convention avoided discussing U.S. support for Israel's Gaza war, upsetting pro-Palestinian delegates. Despite calls for a prime-time speech on the issue, organizers, in consultation with Kamala Harris' campaign, did not schedule such a speaking slot. Protests escalated, highlighting internal party conflicts and potential electoral impacts.

The most divisive issue facing the Democratic Party, U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza, has gone mostly unaddressed during the four-day convention which ends on Thursday, leaving pro-Palestinian delegates upset with presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Harris is expected to call for an urgent end to the war during her Thursday acceptance speech and for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, two sources familiar with her remarks said. She will not address U.S. arms sales to Israel, according to the sources.

Muslim delegates and their allies had pushed for a prime-time speaking slot to address the latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which began on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's assault on Hamas-governed Gaza, with the aid of U.S. support, has since killed 40,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, along with displacing nearly its entire 2.3 million population, causing a hunger crisis and flattening almost the entire enclave.

A campaign spokesperson declined to explain the decision not to schedule a speech by a Palestinian speaker at the DNC. The decision was made by DNC organizers in close consultation with the Harris campaign, sources familiar with the discussions said. Pro-Palestinian advocates on Thursday vowed to keep pressuring Harris to change course on arms sales to Israel. Party insiders fear the Gaza war could cost Harris needed votes in battleground states such as Michigan, which is home to cities with significant Muslim and Arab American populations and college campuses that have been the site of Gaza protests.

(With inputs from agencies.)