DNC: Kamala Harris says she is working to end Gaza war and ensure Israel can defend itself

US Vice President recognises suffering of people in Gaza, calling what has happened over past 10 months 'devastating'

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US Vice President Kamala Harris called for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, during a speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday night.

Ms Harris, the party's nominee to face Donald Trump in the presidential election in November, also said she would ensure Israel had the ability to defend itself.

"President [Joe] 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," she said to thunderous applause at the United Centre.

Ms Harris spoke about the suffering of civilians in Gaza, saying what has happened "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," she said.

She added that she would always stand up for Israel's defence. The remarks appeared to dash the hopes of those who have demanded an end to US military support for the country.

"I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organisation called Hamas caused on October 7," Ms Harris told delegates.

Many watched Ms Harris's speech to see how much attention, if any, she would give to the Israel-Gaza war, amid outrage from some Democrats that she has done little to address their concerns.

Members of the “uncommitted” voter movement have been among the fiercest critics. They have accused the Democratic National Committee of refusing a request to allow a Palestinian American to address the convention, after family members of a hostage held in Gaza were invited to speak.

Ms Harris has been closely involved in the latest US diplomatic push for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. She was involved in a phone conversation on Wednesday between Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Economy

Ms Harris began her address by speaking about her early childhood in a working-class neighbourhood in the greater San Francisco Bay area. "We lived in the flats," she said, referring to the flatlands section of East Bay.

"A beautiful working-class neighbourhood of firefighters, nurses and construction workers all who tended their lawns with pride. My mother, she worked long hours, and like many working parents, she leaned on a trusted circle to help raise us."

In her pitch to middle-class voters, Ms Harris laid out elements of her economic agenda that she said would lower everyday costs for American citizens, including health care and groceries. The economy and inflation are considered to be among the biggest issues facing voters this year, with food prices up 27 per cent since 2022.

One element of her economic agenda is to tackle so-called price gouging. She has blamed food sellers for raising the price of goods higher than what is considered reasonable.

She also touted her plan to make housing cheaper. Her plan includes giving first-time homebuyers $25,000 in down-payment assistance, as well as building three million homes by 2028.

The bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates her plan would add $1.7 trillion to the US federal deficit over the next 10 years, with that figure rising to $2 trillion if her housing policies are made permanent.

She contrasted her own platform to that of Republican nominee Mr Trump, who she said "fights for himself and his billionaire friends". Ms Harris went after his proposed tax cuts and tariffs, in particular.

A 10 per cent tariff on all imports into the US would incur additional costs between $1,700 and $2,350 for the average household, the American Action Forum says. A separate analysis conducted by the Tax Foundation said Mr Trump's plan would reduce US economic growth by 0.7 per cent and eliminate 505,000 jobs.

Foreign policy

Ms Harris played up her experience of tackling global challenges and speaking to world leaders during her time as Vice President, contrasting her approach to foreign policy against that of Mr Trump and his tendency towards isolationism.

"We must also be steadfast in advancing our security and values abroad," she added. "As Vice President, I have confronted threats to our security, negotiated with foreign leaders, strengthened our alliances and engage with our brave troops overseas."

She pointed to her efforts to help rally support for Ukraine and Nato before Russia launched its invasion of the country in February 2022.

“Trump, on the other hand, threatened to abandon Nato, he encouraged [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to invade our allies, said Russia could, quote, do whatever the hell they want,” she said.

“Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, I met with President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy to warn him about Russia's plan to invade. I helped mobilise a global response over 50 countries to defend against Putin's aggression.”

Ms Harris added that she would not “hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend our forces and our interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists".

She also said she would work to maintain the strength of the US military. "I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world, and I will fulfil our sacred obligation to care for our troops and their families," she said.

Domestic issues

In her address, Ms Harris referred to her career as a prosecutor, saying: "I've only had one client: the people", and she promised to be a president for all Americans.

"You can always trust me to put country above party and self, to hold sacred America's fundamental principles, from the rule of law to free and fair elections to the peaceful transfer of power," she told the crowd. Ms Harris's remark about "the peaceful transfer of power" was a reference to the January 6 Capitol riot.

"I will be a president who unites us around our highest aspirations, a president who leads and listens with realistic, practical and has common sense and always fights for the American people, from the courthouse to the White House," she said.

The Democratic nominee promised to protect the country's "fundamental principles that are at stake" in the election against Mr Trump, including the freedom to be safe from gun violence, practise religion and have access to clean air and water.

Ms Harris also addressed fears over restrictions on voting rights and promised to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, legislation that Democrats have long wanted to pass. She also vowed to protect reproductive rights for women across the country, after abortion protections were ended by a Supreme Court ruling in 2022.

On the US-Mexico border, which she has overseen in the Biden administration, Ms Harris said she would pass a bipartisan security bill that came to the table in Congress this year. The administration "brought together Democrats and conservative Republicans to write the strongest border bill in decades", she added.

"The Border Patrol endorsed it, but Donald Trump believes a border deal would hurt his campaign, so he ordered his allies in Congress to kill the deal."

There had been reports in the spring that Mr Trump used his influence on his party to ensure the bill was blocked. She told the audience that she would not "play politics with our security" and vowed to sign the bill into law if she is elected.

Taking on Trump

Ms Harris went on the attack against Mr Trump, asking the crowd to imagine his return to the White House for a term in which he had "no guardrails". "This election is not only the most important of our lives. It is one of the most important in the life of our nation," she told the crowd.

"In many ways. Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of putting Donald Trump back in the White House are extremely serious."

She highlighted his conviction on fraud charges and that he was found liable for sexual abuse. She also said her rival "fanned the flames" during the Capitol riot. "We are not going back," she said, with the crowd chanting her words.

Sara Ruthven contributed to this report