Rhino: Agencies – Kamala Harris’ speech at the conclusion of the Democratic Party’s national convention in Chicago showed no change in current policies, pro-Palestinian activists said, after a week that saw the party’s most divisive issue ignored.

Under pressure to respond to critics of US support for Israel’s war in Gaza, the vice president used her speech on Thursday evening to repeat earlier calls for a ceasefire and the return of hostages. She said she supported Israel’s right to self-defence while also supporting the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

A spokesman for the Harris campaign declined to elaborate on the circumstances of the decision not to allow a Palestinian speaker who asked to speak at the conference. A source familiar with the discussions said the decision was made by conference organizers in close consultation with the Harris campaign.

Sources within the party fear that the Gaza war could cause Harris to lose needed votes in swing states such as Michigan, where there are cities with large Muslim and Arab-American populations, and universities that have seen protests over the war in Gaza.