The Democratic Party has reaffirmed its support for Israel despite the divide among its supporters on the issue, as pro-Palestine protests begin in Chicago.
Democrats released their party platform document on Sunday, which outlines its policy priorities to be voted on by delegates on Monday evening.
The 92-page document says the U.S. "strongly supports Israel in the fight against Hamas" and does not mention an arms embargo on Israel, which multiple groups have called for.
It comes just a day before the Democratic National Convention (DNC) begins on Monday, when "tens of thousands" of demonstrators are expected to protest the country's support for Israel, according to the national chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network Hatem Abudayyeh.
The group is one of several working in a coalition organizing under the name "March on the DNC2024" and calling for the U.S. to "stand with Palestine and demand an end to aid to Israel."
Around 1,000 protesters marched through downtown Chicago on Sunday night shouting "shut down the DNC," according to a Reuters report.
They disrupted a welcome party for delegates, with a social media clip showing a protester yelling: "You are funding a genocide. The Harris-Biden administration keeps sending money to Israel."
When Harris replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee in July, there were questions about whether she would take a harder line on Israel.
An organizer for the Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws coalition Linda Loew told POLITICO: "There is admittedly a change of tone and for many, a sense of a breath of fresh air."
But she went on to say that "rhetoric and promises are simply not enough," adding: "We need to see action."
Indeed, the Democratic Party platform document does also call for an "immediate and lasting ceasefire deal" which would bring the release of hostages still being held in Gaza.
It also vocalizes support for a "negotiated two-state solution" which "ensures Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state with recognized borders and upholds the right of Palestinians to live in freedom and security in a viable state of their own."
Commenting on Harris' position and the upcoming protests, spokesperson Lauren Hitt told POLITICO: "The Vice President believes making your voice heard and participating in our democracy is fundamental to who we are as Americans.
"Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of hostages."
Newsweek has contacted Harris' campaign team for any further comment.
It comes as President Joe Biden's administration is pushing for a breakthrough in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
The White House has been seemingly positive about the possibility of success, with a senior Biden administration official previously saying the goal was to reach a deal "over the coming week" on Friday.
But a senior Hamas official has since told Newsweek the U.S. government is offering this positive portrayal to ease tensions for the election.
"They need a ceasefire deal for internal reasons related to the elections," said Basem Naim, a spokesperson and former health minister of Hamas.
Similarly, fellow spokesperson Sami Abu Zahri, told Reuters on Friday that "the American administration is trying to spread a false positive atmosphere and is not serious about stopping the war."
When it came to responding to these reactions from Hamas, the senior Biden administration official who spoke to reporters on Friday about the deal said, "I wouldn't take anything too seriously."
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