Kamala Harris' style, her origins and the enthusiasm she has aroused since the beginning of her campaign all point to a break with Joe Biden. But when it comes to foreign policy, the continuity between the president and his vice president seems complete. It was enough to listen to Harris' speech to the Democratic delegates at the convention in Chicago on Thursday, August 22 – particularly the weighty passage on the war in Gaza.

Harris recalled the administration's relentless efforts to push Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of hostages still being held in the landlocked and tortured strip. According to her, this is the condition for the Palestinians to "realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination." This last principle is today denied and rejected by the Israeli government, dominated by far-right supremacists.

But Harris did not distance herself in any way from this unreliable partner which abuses the unconditional support of the US. She made no reference to a possible suspension of arms deliveries to Israel, called for by many Democratic activists in states with large Arab-Muslim communities.

More than 700,000 participants in the Democratic primaries – before Biden withdrew – had decided to cast a protest vote, declaring themselves uncommitted to a candidate. This was a clear warning to the current administration, a way of criticizing its unilateral support for Benjamin Netanyahu's government. This "Uncommitted" grassroots movement, organized by local elected officials and spreading to states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, managed to secure 29 delegates to the Democratic convention. However, the convention organizers refused to give the floor to a representative of this movement on behalf of Palestinian civilians.

On the other hand, Rachel and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh, the 23-year-old hostage held in Gaza, were able to deliver a moving testimony on stage. Much to their surprise, as they later admitted, they received rapturous applause. "In a competition of pain, there are no winners," they said.

Other speakers, such as Senator Bernie Sanders, a historic figure to the left of the party, also referred to the war, but in rather conventional terms. The Democratic Party organized its convention in a way that scrupulously maintained its unity around Harris. This discipline was reinforced, even if it meant scorning the tragedy in Gaza – as seen by the lack of success of the solidarity demonstrations organized in Chicago alongside the event.

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