The Democratic Party has been facing internal strife for months due to the conflict in Gaza, causing tension within President Joe Biden’s electoral coalition. However, with Biden no longer in the race and Vice President Kamala Harris leading the party, signs at the Democratic National Convention suggest that Harris is taking steps to address this issue.
During the convention, party activists were given the opportunity to hold a forum to discuss the situation in Gaza and share personal stories of loss and hardship. This move, considered a first by organizers, symbolized an olive branch extended by Harris to ease the growing discontent within the party.
Although core demands such as a cease-fire and reevaluation of U.S. support for Israel remain unmet, the decision to allow activists to voice their concerns at the convention marked a significant shift. James Zogby, a panelist, praised the historic nature of the forum despite ongoing discontent.
Panelists shared heartbreaking stories of devastation and tragedy, highlighting the human cost of the conflict in Gaza. Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan recounted the story of a young boy who had lost his entire family and expressed a desire to end his own life.
The forum was a result of behind-the-scenes negotiations between Harris’ campaign and the “Uncommitted” movement, a group that had previously withheld support for Biden during primary contests. Meetings between top Democrats and “Uncommitted” voters demonstrated a concerted effort to address concerns in key swing states like Michigan.
Layla Elabed, a Palestinian American activist, viewed Harris’ candidacy as a potential catalyst for change within the party and hailed the panel discussion as a small victory. While acknowledging Harris’ empathy and compassion, Elabed emphasized the need for tangible policy changes to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
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