Pro-Palestine Democrats Ease Protests, Seeing Opportunity with Harris
The vice president is skillfully maneuvering through the political landscape while effectively maintaining unity within her party.
TroibNews 
**CHICAGO** — The conversation surrounding Gaza is notably subdued at this week's Democratic National Convention. Prominent critics of Israel are rallying behind Kamala Harris, while anticipated pro-Palestinian protests have underwhelmed in turnout.
Three days into the convention, Harris has largely circumvented what could have been a significant disruption to her ascent, one that might have highlighted profound divisions within the party.
Harris is not facing the same electoral repercussions for the conflict in the Middle East that President Joe Biden encountered as a candidate. With that weight lifted, Democrats are diligently attempting to sidestep one of the party’s most polarizing issues.
Throughout her tenure, Harris has been a loyal member of Biden’s administration, which has authorized substantial arms sales to Israel. Her aides have emphasized that, similar to Biden, she advocates for Israel’s right to self-defense and opposes an arms embargo against the nation. However, in numerous interviews, leading progressives and pro-Palestinian figures in Chicago expressed optimism that Harris would carve out a distinct foreign policy approach compared to Biden if she becomes president.
Currently, Harris is delicately balancing party unity, a vital task as the November elections approach.
“She has made sure to call out in really strong terms the need for a cease-fire and to really acknowledge the desperation and inhumanity of what's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza. And I think that is something that people have seen and appreciated,” remarked Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, in an interview. “There's a sense that there's an opening with her that perhaps wasn't there with President Biden because she doesn't have a long relationship on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee or with Benjamin Netanyahu.”
During a speech at the convention on Wednesday, progressive Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a former leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, indicated that the left wing of the party should feel their concerns regarding Gaza are acknowledged by Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: “When we say we need a cease-fire, and an end to the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, and to bring our hostages homes, they’re listening, friends. They agree with us,” he stated.
His remarks followed progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) validating Harris’ approach to the conflict on stage just a day earlier.
Pro-Palestinian advocates noted a minor victory at the convention: the Democratic National Committee allocated space for an official panel on Monday focusing on Palestinian human rights.
The war in Gaza has revealed significant rifts within the party this election cycle, with pro-Israel groups investing heavily to unseat leading progressive House members. Biden faced persistent disruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters during his campaign before he exited the race.
Harris has encountered protests as well, receiving backlash from progressives when she asserted, “I’m speaking,” as pro-Palestinian activists interrupted her at a rally in Michigan. However, prior to that speech, she had discreetly engaged with Arab American leaders involved in the "uncommitted" movement, who have voiced discontent with the Biden administration’s response to the conflict.
Behind the scenes at the convention, there has been quiet maneuvering. Progressives and others have pressed the Harris campaign to include a Palestinian American speaker, such as Michigan delegate Abbas Alawieh, among the “uncommitted” delegates. Alawieh reported during a news conference Wednesday evening that he was informed no Palestinian American would be featured on stage.
“The vice president made a decision — she and her team — that the answer is no,” he stated.
As he concluded his comments, he received a call from what seemed to be a vice presidential aide and told the person, “Tell the vice president that I'm sitting outside. I'm not going anywhere.”
He then took a seat outside the United Center, where the convention is being held, creating a sit-in with a few other supporters that gradually grew larger. Alawieh and his fellow advocates emphasized that their objective was not to disrupt the convention; they remained Democrats and opposed Trump.
The Harris campaign declined to comment on the inclusion of a Palestinian American speaker but a DNC spokesperson referred to initiatives like the panel on Palestinian issues and Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez recently meeting with Arab American leaders in Michigan.
Support for the “uncommitted” delegates surfaced from Ocasio-Cortez, who posted on the social media platform X: “The @DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity.” Another Squad member, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who joined the sit-in, previously condemned the Biden administration for “refusing to recognize the genocidal war that is taking place in Gaza.”
When asked about Harris afterward, her tone softened: “She is incredibly empathetic, but empathy goes so far. We need a policy shift.”
While Harris has managed to stave off fallout from her left flank at the convention, pro-Israel Democrats have expressed satisfaction with how the war has been addressed by speakers on stage and appreciated the opportunity given to the parents of an American-Israeli hostage on Wednesday evening.
“I think the way it's been handled has been good, because what's important to me is the policy. Biden and Harris have been extraordinary in their support of Israel, extraordinary even given the fact that obviously there's a push from a small group of people who, you know, don't want any support for Israel,” remarked Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), a Jewish lawmaker who departed from the progressive caucus over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In Chicago, pro-Palestinian protests have emerged each day of the Democratic convention, with the largest gatherings drawing fewer than 10,000 participants, according to the Chicago Police Department — not the “tens of thousands” anticipated by organizers. Activists briefly displayed a flag reading “Stop Arming Israel” during Biden’s speech on Monday before convention organizers intervened.
Smaller protests have occurred around the city, including in front of the building housing the Israeli consulate, leading to several arrests nearly two miles from the United Center.
Some pro-Palestinian advocates have suggested they are awaiting further statements from Harris regarding the Gaza situation, especially with her upcoming speech on Thursday.
“I'm hopeful that we will see a shift from Vice President Harris,” said Margaret DeReus, executive director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding. “I think she has a real opportunity to turn the page, but I also think that she needs to quickly.”
Delegate David Seaton from Massachusetts, who signed up as a symbolic “cease-fire delegate,” expressed his desire for the Harris campaign to embrace messaging supportive of a cease-fire. Nevertheless, he asserted, “I’m not a one-issue voter” and acknowledged, “I believe that so much is on the line that I will be supporting Kamala Harris in this election.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Three days into the convention, Harris has largely circumvented what could have been a significant disruption to her ascent, one that might have highlighted profound divisions within the party.
Harris is not facing the same electoral repercussions for the conflict in the Middle East that President Joe Biden encountered as a candidate. With that weight lifted, Democrats are diligently attempting to sidestep one of the party’s most polarizing issues.
Throughout her tenure, Harris has been a loyal member of Biden’s administration, which has authorized substantial arms sales to Israel. Her aides have emphasized that, similar to Biden, she advocates for Israel’s right to self-defense and opposes an arms embargo against the nation. However, in numerous interviews, leading progressives and pro-Palestinian figures in Chicago expressed optimism that Harris would carve out a distinct foreign policy approach compared to Biden if she becomes president.
Currently, Harris is delicately balancing party unity, a vital task as the November elections approach.
“She has made sure to call out in really strong terms the need for a cease-fire and to really acknowledge the desperation and inhumanity of what's happening to the Palestinian people in Gaza. And I think that is something that people have seen and appreciated,” remarked Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, in an interview. “There's a sense that there's an opening with her that perhaps wasn't there with President Biden because she doesn't have a long relationship on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee or with Benjamin Netanyahu.”
During a speech at the convention on Wednesday, progressive Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a former leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, indicated that the left wing of the party should feel their concerns regarding Gaza are acknowledged by Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: “When we say we need a cease-fire, and an end to the loss of innocent lives in Gaza, and to bring our hostages homes, they’re listening, friends. They agree with us,” he stated.
His remarks followed progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) validating Harris’ approach to the conflict on stage just a day earlier.
Pro-Palestinian advocates noted a minor victory at the convention: the Democratic National Committee allocated space for an official panel on Monday focusing on Palestinian human rights.
The war in Gaza has revealed significant rifts within the party this election cycle, with pro-Israel groups investing heavily to unseat leading progressive House members. Biden faced persistent disruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters during his campaign before he exited the race.
Harris has encountered protests as well, receiving backlash from progressives when she asserted, “I’m speaking,” as pro-Palestinian activists interrupted her at a rally in Michigan. However, prior to that speech, she had discreetly engaged with Arab American leaders involved in the "uncommitted" movement, who have voiced discontent with the Biden administration’s response to the conflict.
Behind the scenes at the convention, there has been quiet maneuvering. Progressives and others have pressed the Harris campaign to include a Palestinian American speaker, such as Michigan delegate Abbas Alawieh, among the “uncommitted” delegates. Alawieh reported during a news conference Wednesday evening that he was informed no Palestinian American would be featured on stage.
“The vice president made a decision — she and her team — that the answer is no,” he stated.
As he concluded his comments, he received a call from what seemed to be a vice presidential aide and told the person, “Tell the vice president that I'm sitting outside. I'm not going anywhere.”
He then took a seat outside the United Center, where the convention is being held, creating a sit-in with a few other supporters that gradually grew larger. Alawieh and his fellow advocates emphasized that their objective was not to disrupt the convention; they remained Democrats and opposed Trump.
The Harris campaign declined to comment on the inclusion of a Palestinian American speaker but a DNC spokesperson referred to initiatives like the panel on Palestinian issues and Harris campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez recently meeting with Arab American leaders in Michigan.
Support for the “uncommitted” delegates surfaced from Ocasio-Cortez, who posted on the social media platform X: “The @DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity.” Another Squad member, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who joined the sit-in, previously condemned the Biden administration for “refusing to recognize the genocidal war that is taking place in Gaza.”
When asked about Harris afterward, her tone softened: “She is incredibly empathetic, but empathy goes so far. We need a policy shift.”
While Harris has managed to stave off fallout from her left flank at the convention, pro-Israel Democrats have expressed satisfaction with how the war has been addressed by speakers on stage and appreciated the opportunity given to the parents of an American-Israeli hostage on Wednesday evening.
“I think the way it's been handled has been good, because what's important to me is the policy. Biden and Harris have been extraordinary in their support of Israel, extraordinary even given the fact that obviously there's a push from a small group of people who, you know, don't want any support for Israel,” remarked Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), a Jewish lawmaker who departed from the progressive caucus over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In Chicago, pro-Palestinian protests have emerged each day of the Democratic convention, with the largest gatherings drawing fewer than 10,000 participants, according to the Chicago Police Department — not the “tens of thousands” anticipated by organizers. Activists briefly displayed a flag reading “Stop Arming Israel” during Biden’s speech on Monday before convention organizers intervened.
Smaller protests have occurred around the city, including in front of the building housing the Israeli consulate, leading to several arrests nearly two miles from the United Center.
Some pro-Palestinian advocates have suggested they are awaiting further statements from Harris regarding the Gaza situation, especially with her upcoming speech on Thursday.
“I'm hopeful that we will see a shift from Vice President Harris,” said Margaret DeReus, executive director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding. “I think she has a real opportunity to turn the page, but I also think that she needs to quickly.”
Delegate David Seaton from Massachusetts, who signed up as a symbolic “cease-fire delegate,” expressed his desire for the Harris campaign to embrace messaging supportive of a cease-fire. Nevertheless, he asserted, “I’m not a one-issue voter” and acknowledged, “I believe that so much is on the line that I will be supporting Kamala Harris in this election.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
