Gaza war issue threatens to divide Democrats as convention kicks off

CHICAGO, Aug 19 (BBC): The Democratic National Convention kicks off on Monday as Gaza protests threaten to overshadow what is expected to be a show of unity for Vice-President Kamala Harris as the party's nominee for president.

The Harris campaign is hoping the Chicago convention will serve as a jubilant celebration following President Joe Biden's abrupt exit from the race in July.

But some worry that an internal party debate over the war in Gaza could undercut Democrats' harmony during the convention and ahead of the November election.

The convention will culminate on Thursday with Ms Harris giving a primetime speech after she formally accepts the party's nomination.

President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Barack Obama, other party royals, and a star-studded cast of actors and entertainers will take the stage at the United Center in Chicago this week to praise the vice-president and sharpen their attacks on former President Donald Trump - her Republican challenger.

But what remains unclear is how the Harris campaign and the Democratic Party will tackle the sensitive nature of policy towards Israel and the conflict in Gaza. The Harris campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza intending to destroy Hamas after the group attacked southern Israel on 7 October. About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage in the unprecedented assault.

Israel has faced international criticism for the scale of civilian casualties in its offensive. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 40,000 people have been killed since October.

Ms Harris, who set off on a bus tour of Western Pennsylvania before flying to Chicago on Sunday, has not released a clear policy on Gaza and Israel. Her nascent campaign has only put forward a series of economic proposals so far and is under pressure to release more detail on her policy agenda.