Kamala Harris slams Israel's 'devastating' actions in Gaza as she accepts Democrat nomination
Kamala Harris has blasted Israel's conflict in Gaza
Reuters
Kamala Harris has blasted Israel's conflict in Gaza as "devastating" and pledged to deliver "freedom" to Palestinians on the last day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).
On Thursday night, the 59-year-old Harris formally accepted the Democratic Party's nomination to run for president, and promised to chart a "New Way Forward" as she took swipes at election rival Donald Trump.
Accusing the former President of kowtowing to the world's authoritarian leaders, Harris said: "In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand - and I know where the United States belongs."
The Vice-President drew attention to the humanitarian cost and "suffering" wreaked by the Israel-Hamas war - but Harris still came under fire from the pro-Palestine wing of her party for failing to show enough support.
Reuters
The Harris-Walz ticket - seen here with their partners - accepted the Democratic nomination on Thursday
Reuters
She told crowds: "What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating.
"So many innocent lives lost... Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.
"President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realise their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination."
Despite her comments on the Gaza crisis, the VP has also committed to the defence of Israel - if she were to be elected in November.
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The VP has committed to the defence of Israel
Reuters
Seizing on what is a real political lightning rod in the US, Harris also flagged the need to release the hostages captured by Hamas in the wake of October 7's terrorist attacks last year.
She said: "Now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done," prompting cheers from the crowd.
The VP continued: "And let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself - and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself."
Though in the wake of her address, Harris herself has been torn into by pro-Palestine critics.
Campaign spokesmen have declined to explain the decision not to schedule a speech by a Palestinian speaker at the DNC
Reuters
The conflict could cost Harris votes in states with sizeable Muslim populations or left-wing presences at universities
GettyAbbas Alawieh, co-founder of the "anti-war" Uncommitted National Movement, which has managed to organise some 750,000 voters to protest US policy on Israel-Gaza, said the VP missed an opportunity to win over his followers.
The DNC has been hit by pro-Palestine protests since it started on Monday - and though organisers like Alawieh had lobbied for a favourable speaker on the issue at the convention, Democrats said no.
Party insiders voiced fears the conflict could cost Harris votes in US states with sizeable Muslim populations or left-wing presences at university campuses - which have played host to protests since October 7.
Campaign spokesmen have declined to explain the decision not to schedule a speech by a Palestinian speaker at the DNC.
The decision was made by DNC organisers in close consultation with the Harris campaign, sources familiar with the discussions said.
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