Tens of thousands of people are expected to populate Chicago this week as the Democratic National Convention kicks off and Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz prepare to officially accept the party’s nominations.
After a Republican National Convention that demonstrated unified GOP support for Israel and the American Jewish community in the volatile days immediately following the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, it remains to be seen how Democrats will address the issue at the fore of Jewish voters’ minds.
Given the divisions the Israel-Gaza issue has wrought in the party – and the impending presence of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators protesting the DNC – it is unclear how discussions of Israel will factor into the four-day convention, whose speakers will include former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton; former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton; and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Preparations continue one day ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on 18 August, 2024. US Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party's nomination for president at the DNC which runs from August 19-22 in Chicago. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish, will also speak at the event, as will Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who was subjected to intense opposition for his Jewish heritage when he was considered as a running mate for Harris. Jewish Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who was also among those considered for the role of VP, will speak on Tuesday, as will the Jewish Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff.
While the current iteration of the DNC schedule does not show any events expressly dedicated to addressing the Jewish community or Israel, there is scheduled to be a public event titled “Voices for Justice: Democrats for Palestinian Human Rights” on the first day of the convention, held at McCormick Place as part of a series of events called DemPalooza.
Organised by the Uncommitted National Movement, it is the first panel in political convention history to feature Palestinian voices leading a discussion on the cause of Palestinian human rights.
Police stand guard in front of the Hilton hotel as pro-Palestine protesters march ahead of the Democratic National Convention on 18 August, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
Jewish former Michigan congressman Andy Levin is expected to join the panel as a speaker, in part because he was targeted by pro-Israel donors for his vocal criticism of Israel.
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, members of hostage families, who are also in Chicago, have also not been told yet whether they will have a slot.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JCDA) will host an event “on the sidelines” of the DNC on Thursday. The event, titled “Antisemitism, Extremism and the 2024 Election,” will feature speakers including Rep. Kathy Manning, Global Antisemitism Expert Sharon Nazarian, Jewish Council for Public Affairs CEO Amy Spitalnick, Christian Nationalism Expert Amanda Tyler and Antisemitism Expert Alan Solow. The location of the event has not been released, likely for security reasons.
Also taking place on the sidelines of the DNC on Thursday will be a breakfast discussion presented by Zioness, a grassroots Jewish organisation advocating for the inclusion of Zionists in social justice spaces. “Antisemitism in the Academy: A Deep Dive on Free Speech, Academic Freedom and Campus Climate,” will feature several prominent speakers including Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UC Berkeley Law School and Catherine E. Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the US Department of Education.
Democratic presidential candidate, US Vice President Kamala Harris arrives with second gentleman Douglas Emhoff for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on 18 August, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The Israeli-American Council, which continues to await approval for a counter-protest permit by the city of Chicago, will host a Hostage Square display on Tuesday to highlight the plight of the remaining hostages held in Gaza. The event will be held in a private lot near the United Center but is not officially affiliated with the DNC.
The pro-Palestine protest due to take place at Union Park on Monday, just a ten-minute walk from the United Center where the majority of events will be held, may be as significant as the speeches delivered inside.
Demonstrators participating in the March on the DNC will descend on the Windy City in droves to push Harris towards forcing a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and to threaten to withhold their votes in the upcoming election if she does not back an arms embargo.
Jewish watchdog organisation the Anti-Defamation League has been keeping an eye on the impending protests, especially for the security of Jewish organisations like JCDA hosting sideline events. The ADL wrote on X last week: "Nearly 100 organisations are expected to protest the DNC, some aiming to 'shut it down' and 'flood the city.' Some of them have a history of encouraging confrontation with law enforcement and 'direct actions,' including property destruction and defacement, and physical takeovers of spaces.”
Pro-Palestine protesters march ahead of the Democratic National Convention on 18 August, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)
The four nights of the convention, from 19-22 August, will be hosted by a rotation of famous figures, including actors Mindy Kaling and Kerry Washington, political commentator Ana Navarro, and Jewish actor Tony Goldwyn.
President Biden is scheduled to deliver Monday night’s keynote address.
According to the Pew Research Center Jews are among the most consistently liberal and Democratic groups in the US, with seven in ten Jewish adults identifying with or leaning toward the Democratic Party.
