Biden faces DNC speech backlash, Kamala Harris accepts Democratic nomination

In the face of right-wing criticism, Joe Biden’s pro-Israel backers said they aren’t concerned after he said pro-Palestinian protesters “have a point” in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The remark, made in the middle of Biden’s address Monday night, has become fodder for attacks on the president. A social media account associated with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is sharing the clip, and other accounts on X are posting Biden’s quote above videos of protesters who declare support for Hamas or call for Israel’s destruction.

Biden made the statement in the middle of a longer discussion of his efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. He said he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were working to head off a regional war, free hostages, deliver increased aid to Gaza, “and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war.”

In his address to the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday night, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff invoked his Jewish faith and Vice President Kamala Harris's embrace of her Jewish blended family. 

Images of Emhoff's involvement and connection to the Jewish community flashed in the introduction video narrated by his son Cole.

Emhoff first described his childhood, where he rode his bike to Hebrew school. He then described faith in his marriage to Harris. 

New York Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer's speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Tuesday night shifted from jubilant celebrating Vice President Kamala Harris to serious when addressing his Jewish identity. 

Schumer, as the highest-ranking Jewish member of Congress, said he never wants his grandkids to face discrimination because of who they are. 

"But Donald Trump, this is a guy who peddles antisemitic stereotypes. He even invited a white supremacist to Mar a Lago, and unfortunately, his prejudice goes in all directions," Schumer said. 

Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders received a standing ovation on Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention when calling for an "end to the horrific war in Gaza."

"Bring home the hostages and demand an immediate ceasefire," he said. 

Sanders is the first speaker on Tuesday night to both call for the return of the hostages and for a ceasefire. 

The response in the arena was overwhelmingly supportive of Sanders' remarks. 

Pro-Palestinian protests demonstrated outside the Israeli consulate in Chicago on the second evening of the Democratic National Convention, CBS reported on Wednesday. 

Strong security and police presence were reported outside the Israeli consulate, Maariv noted. Chicago Police were reported at the scene earlier on Wednesday, with police officers stationed near the entrance of the consulate, and roads in the area blocked off. 

This is a developing story. 

US Vice President Kamala Harris' election effort has raised around $500 million since she became the Democratic presidential candidate, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented money haul that reflects donor enthusiasm going into the Nov. 5 election.

Four sources familiar with the fundraising effort told Reuters that figure had been banked for Harris in the four weeks since she jumped into the race on July 21.

Campaign cash is critical for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts that help bring people to the polls and persuade undecided voters to swing a candidate's way.

US Vice President Kamala Harris' election effort has raised around $500 million since she became the Democratic presidential candidate, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented money haul that reflects donor enthusiasm going into the Nov. 5 election.

Four sources familiar with the fundraising effort told Reuters that figure had been banked for Harris in the four weeks since she jumped into the race on July 21.

Campaign cash is critical for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts that help bring people to the polls and persuade undecided voters to swing a candidate's way.

At the DNC panel, former Congressman Andy Levin stressed the need for stronger leadership from Kamala Harris on Palestinian issues. Levin criticized Donald Trump and highlighted Michigan’s diverse demographics as crucial for Harris's electoral success.

He urged Harris to support justice for Palestinians while maintaining US and international law. The panel, the first of its kind at the DNC, also featured prominent figures advocating for Palestinian human rights.

Family members of eight American hostages will attend President Biden’s speech at the DNC in Chicago. They aim to shift focus to the hostages' release amid pro-Palestinian protests.

Liz Hersh Naftali and Jonathan Dekel-Chen emphasize the need for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid for Palestinians, and increased US pressure on Israel and Hamas to secure the hostages' release. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted ongoing implementation issues with the ceasefire proposal.

 President Joe Biden, forced to abandon his reelection bid, will urge fellow Democrats at their national convention on Monday to unite behind Vice President Kamala Harris in the fight for the White House against Republican rival Donald Trump.

While Democrats gathered at United Center, home to Chicago's basketball and hockey teams, hundreds of protesters assembled at a nearby park to pressure the party to drop military support for Israel's Gaza offensive.

Biden's appearance at the start of the four-day event will serve as a symbolic passing of the torch to his No. 2 after he quit the race under pressure from top Democrats worried that the 81-year-old incumbent was too old to win or serve another four years.