DNC 2024: Kamala Harris calls for Gaza ceasefire and pledges support for Israel in acceptance speech

US Vice-President Kamala Harris commented on Israel’s war on Gaza during her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago on Thursday, saying she and US President Joe Biden were “working around the clock” for a ceasefire and that she will “always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself”.

Harris’ speech sparked criticism online for repeating disputed claims that “unspeakable sexual violence” was perpetrated by Hamas fighters against Israelis on 7 October, while not addressing the rape of a Palestinian detainee by Israeli guards in the Sde Teiman detention camp which was captured on video earlier this month.