92-page Democrat election platform lacks call for Israeli arms embargo
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The platform describes a mere wish list that includes expanding the economy, addressing inequality, and defending women's rights.
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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, clasps her hand in the air with President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP)
A 92-page platform that the US Democratic Party released on Sunday for the presidential elections in November makes no mention of an arms embargo on "Israel" - a demand made by uncommitted delegates at the party's four-day convention in Chicago and a major demand made by demonstrators against the war on Gaza who are assembling in the city.
The platform, which was up for voting on Monday, described a wish list that included expanding the economy, addressing inequality, and defending women's rights.
According to The Washington Post, during committee hearings, when the agreement was being produced, the topic of a ceasefire—which has caused division among moderate and progressive party members—was not publicly mentioned.
In a press release, the DNC said that the platform “makes a strong statement about the historic work that President Biden and Vice-President Harris have accomplished hand-in-hand, and offers a vision for a progressive agenda that we can build on as a nation and as a party as we head into the next four years.”
When the protest began along Chicago's Michigan Avenue, a bigger contingent of police responded.
A delegate celebration was disrupted by protesters from Gaza who were promising a "week of justice," according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Protesters, according to an organizer known only as Jinan to the outlet, were determined to confront the party about the war.
Jinan said, “Welcome to hell week,” while another organizer accused the Democrats of “funding a genocide."
Nadine Naber, an activist with the UIC Arab American Cultural Center, accused Democrats of “hiding” behind women's rights as a cover for their support of the occupation.
She told the Sun-Times, “We are here to fight for our bodies and our hearts,” adding, “Any movement guided by radical collective love is like fire, it’s inextinguishable, so free Palestine and free them all.”
Protesters outside the DNC in Chicago were denouncing "Israel's" war on Gaza, and Biden said during his DNC speech that they "have a point."
He said, "Those protesters out in the street, they have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides," adding that the time has come to "end this war."
Not quite how it works...
Large demonstrations took place in Chicago demanding an end to sending arms to "Israel" and the cessation of the war on Gaza.
US police forces were dispatched to disperse the protesters calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza, footage circulating on social media platforms showed.
The Democrats' commitment to remove the issue of weapons from their platform is unlikely to defuse the hostile atmosphere. Rather, the party urges its members to reiterate their backing of "Israel".
Additionally, many anti-war protesters see this as a fig leaf for prolonged US military assistance to a goal that shows few prospects of being accomplished.
However, the letter does demand a "short-term and long-term ceasefire agreement" that guarantees the release of all captives and attempts to prevent more casualties and displacement in Gaza.
On Monday night, the four-day convention launched with remarks by Biden and Hillary Clinton, the former Democratic nominee for president in 2016. On Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton are scheduled to deliver speeches.
Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota and Harris' running mate, will also take the stage on Wednesday to accept the vice-presidential nomination; Harris will take center stage on Thursday.
