The Introspective

Harris accepts the presidential nomination at the DNC as both her and Trump face scrutiny over their stances on Palestine.

Dante Belcher

Aug 26, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the presidential nomination during last week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago. This comes amid a historical election in the making, following incumbent President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July.

“On behalf of The People; on behalf of every American, regardless of party, race, gender, or the language your grandmother speaks; on behalf of my mother and everyone who has ever set out on their unlikely journey; on behalf of Americans like the people I grew up with, people who work hard, chase their dreams, and look out for one another; on behalf of everyone whose story could only be written in the greatest nation on Earth—I accept your nomination for President of the United States of America,” said Harris.

However, while Harris was accepting the presidential nomination, various protests protesting the DNC were taking place.

The Biden-Harris administration has faced scrutiny for its policies and unconditional support for Israel since the events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing Palestinian genocide in the Gaza Strip. Protesters for the past 10 months have called on the U.S. to end all aid and support for Israel and to enact an arms embargo.

Harris has repeatedly stated that she will ensure that she would “always ensure that Israel can defend itself” and has faced scrutiny for framing the genocide as a “war against Hamas” and as a “humanitarian crisis” rather than criticizing Israel.

Anti-genocide protestors at a Harris rally in Detroit earlier this month were met with an agitated Harris who said, “If you want Donald Trump to win, say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

Since being interrupted by protestors at her rallies, Harris said repeatedly that she was “working around the clock” for a ceasefire. However, an NBC report released this past week revealed that the Biden-Harris administration had made a $20 billion weapons sale to Israel, contradicting her claims.

A poll conducted in June by CBS News and YouGov saw that 61% of Americans believe that the U.S. should stop sending weapons to Israel. 77% of Democrats said that the U.S. should stop sending weapons to Israel.

Trump and Netanyahu

Former President Donald Trump expressed similar views to Harris regarding Palestine. The former President and current Republican nominee is being praised by Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for moving the U.S embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that angered Palestinians.

According to a Reuters report, Trump said of Netanyahu, “He knows what he’s doing, I did encourage him to get this over with,” referring to Netanyahu.

Trump also labeled the Anti-genocide protestors as “pro-Hamas thugs” and “jihad sympathizers” and threatened to arrest and deport them if he wins the election, according to the same report.

In his controversial address to Congress in July, Netanyahu also praised the Abraham Accords. This Trump-era agreement increased relations between Israel and Bahrain as well as with the United Arab Emirates. During his visit to the United States, he met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence as well as meetings with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.