Pro-Palestinian activists face complicated new decisions as Democrats gather to support a surging Kamala Harris

Pro-Palestinian activists are issuing a new demand to Kamala Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention: Let us help.

Pro-Palestinian activists are issuing a new demand to Kamala Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention: Let us help. The mixture of giddy excitement for Harris’ new campaign and righteous anger among pro-Palestinian factions in the party over US government support for Israel’s war in Gaza has created an odd, insecure buzz around the DNC, which kicks off on Monday in Chicago. Always a magnet for progressive activists and other, mostly leftist organizations determined to make good on the promise of global media attention, the Democrats’ quadrennial gathering is, in the most harmonious time, a stage for dissent. The 2024 edition will be no exception. Mass demonstrations, organized by local and national groups, marches and vigils are all on the schedule. As are, though unofficially, at least a smattering of disruptions to the run of show inside the United Center over the course of the week. Equally certain are scenes of actual joy as Democrats, freed so recently from months of dread over Joe Biden’s dire prospects, crown Harris as the party’s first Black female presidential nominee – and the only candidate to ever enjoy such a late ascent and surge of support. What’s less sure, on the eve of the confab, is who will occupy some of the most sought-after speaking slots and what they’ll say – or not say – about the most divisive matter in Democratic politics. Israel and Gaza are rarely named as a top issue among voters, but the conflict – so visceral for so many – has provoked some of the most hostile, visceral internal party debates in years. But even with little changing on the ground in Gaza and, increasingly, the West Bank, some of the leading progressive groups, anti-war organizers and Arab- and Palestinian-American activists who were poised to lead the charge in Chicago are facing a starkly different reality from a month ago – before Biden announced he would “stand down” and pass the baton to Harris.