In one of the most anticipated moments of Thursday’s speech, in the face of protests around the convention by pro-Palestinian groups, Harris left no room for doubt when it came to support for Israel, but also defended the rights of Palestinians.
“When it comes to the war in Gaza, President Biden and I are working around the clock because now is the time to reach an agreement to release the hostages and a ceasefire,” said the Democratic candidate.
It was even feared that uncommitted delegates, who wanted to speak during the convention, might try to interrupt the speech, something that did not happen.
“Let me be clear: I will always defend Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure that it has the ability to do so, because the people of Israel should never again have to face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused in 07 October”, he stated.
But Harris also criticized what is happening in Gaza, calling the situation over the past ten months devastating and defending the right of Palestinians to live in peace and security.
“So many innocent lives lost, desperate and hungry people fleeing without stopping”, he described. “The scale of the suffering is heartbreaking,” he continued.
Harris assured that the administration is working to end this war and “ensure that the Palestinian people can realize their right to security, freedom and self-determination.”
The Democrat said that she will not tolerate dictators, unlike Donald Trump, and that she will ensure the country’s military power. “As supreme commander, I will ensure that America always has the largest and most lethal fighting force in the world and I will fulfill our sacred obligation to our troops,” said the candidate.
Harris accused Trump of being manipulative with praise and favors and of never holding dictators accountable because he himself wants to be an autocrat. “I will never waver in defending America’s ideals and security,” said Kamala Harris.
This part of the speech, in which he directly addressed what his foreign policy will be, drew much applause and was linked to a feeling of patriotism and belief in the American dream that permeated the convention.
“My dear Americans, I love our country with all my heart,” Harris said. “We are the heirs of the greatest democracy in the history of the world”, he considered, asking voters to show each other and the rest of the world what the nation is and what it stands for: freedom, opportunity, compassion, dignity, justice and endless possibilities .
“We have to be up to the task right now,” he declared.
*With Lusa
