The Democratic convention continues in Chicago, USA. Near this city, the inhabitants of the “Little Palestine” neighborhood follow the event from afar, quite pessimistic about the influence that the Democratic Party can have on the situation in the Middle East.
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![Pro-Palestinian protesters march on the street near the United Center, where the Democratic National Convention is taking place on August 21, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois. (JIM VONDRUSKA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/S6zA3K2UnFtqv1hn7aSwXv_caao/0x437:4200x2798/432x243/2024/08/22/chicago-66c70be6362b6367176598.jpg)
A new pro-Palestinian demonstration will be held on Thursday evening, August 22, on the sidelines of the Democratic convention in Chicago to denounce American support for Israel. A large Arab community of Palestinian origin lives about twenty kilometers from downtown Chicago. The neighborhood has also been named “Little Palestine.”
The voice of Fairouz, a legend of Arab song committed to the Palestinian cause, accompanies the customers of this restaurant where images of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem scroll across a screen. Imad is seated at a table with his wife. This native of Ramallah, in the West Bank, has lived in the United States for 17 years. The Democratic convention, which is currently being held in the city, does not interest him more than that: “The Democrats have been there a long time and nothing has changed. Obama, Clinton and all the rest. Nothing has changed in the Middle East so it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter who’s in power.”.
At the next table, Hassan is having lunch with his cousin. He is wearing a T-shirt with the colors of the Palestinian flag. Their family lives in Nablus, in the West Bank, and they have settled in Missouri. “We came from St. Louis to demonstrate for a free Palestine and a ceasefire. Right now, Kamala Harris is trying to get the Arab and anti-war vote for her party. However, we need to know more about her.”says Hassan.
“Kamala Harris’ husband is Jewish and he is one of the supporters of Israel. What is she going to do?”
Hassan, who lives in Missouri and is of Palestinian originto franceinfo
The Democratic presidential candidate promised after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that she would not remain silent in the face of the suffering of Palestinian civilians.
In his shop where he sells all kinds of Middle Eastern items, Mohammad is not convinced. “She has been here for four years now and we have not seen any changes, except for the wars, he justifies. So I think they’re going to continue the same policies, support Israel with weapons, and whatever Israel asks for. So we’re not very optimistic.”This feeling is widely shared by the inhabitants of “Little Palestine”. They are so disillusioned that they are considering not voting on November 5.