Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday with a rousing call to end the war in Gaza and to fight tyranny around the world, drawing a sharp contrast with Republican Donald Trump.

“In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs,” Harris said, accusing Trump of bowing down to dictators.

On the final, and most anticipated, night of the four-day Chicago convention, Harris, 59, sought to redefine herself for America as she and Trump, 78, enter the final 11 weeks of the razor-close campaign.

After days of protests from Palestinian supporters who were disappointed at not getting a speaking spot at the convention, Harris delivered a pledge to secure Israel, bring the hostages home from Gaza and end the war in the Palestinian enclave.

Kamala Harris’ agenda

ISRAEL DEFENSE, GAZA CEASEFIRE

Harris urged an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, saying she supported Israel’s right to defend itself as well as the Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

“I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself,” Harris said.

She added: “What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost, desperate hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking.”

Israel’s war in the enclave followed an attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent assault on Gaza has killed over 40,000, according to Gaza health officials and displaced nearly its entire 2.3 million population. It has also caused a hunger crisis and led to genocide allegations at the World Court, that Israel denies.

“President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are release, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said.

SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND NATO

Harris said she would continue to stand with Ukraine in its war with Russia and support the NATO alliance.

“As President, I will stand strong with Ukraine and our NATO allies,” Harris said.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The United States has provided military assistance and aid to Ukraine.

Harris drew a contrast with Trump, who has pushed NATO countries to contribute more to the alliance.

“Trump on the other hand threatened to abandon NATO,” Harris said.

Harris also accused Trump of wanting to be a dictator and failing to hold autocratic leaders accountable.

“I will not cozy up to tyrants and dictators, like Kim Jong Un who are rooting for Trump,” Harris said, referring to North Korea’s leader. “They know Trump won’t hold autocrats accountable, because he wants to be an autocrat himself.”

Trump said in December that he would not become a dictator if he becomes U.S. president again except on “day one.”

MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT

Harris said she planned to pass a middle class tax cut if elected.

“Instead of the Trump tax hike we will pass a middle class tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans,” Harris said in her speech, without giving details.

Harris argued that the Republican former president’s plan for tariffs would serve as a price hike. Trump has threatened to use tariffs to achieve what he terms as fair trade relations and deals with other countries.

Last week, Harris outlined proposals to cut taxes for most Americans, ban “price gouging” by grocers and build more affordable housing.

Her agenda may run into resistance from both corporations and the U.S. Congress, which rejected similar proposals when they came from Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden.

“Now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done,” she said to cheers. “And let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.”

“What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost, desperate hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking,” she said.

“President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”

In some of her strongest foreign policy statements to date, Harris said she would take whatever action was necessary to defend U.S. interests against Iran and would not cozy up to tyrants and dictators.

She said such leaders, including North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, “are rooting for Trump.”

She vowed to stand with Ukraine in its war against Russia and with NATO allies.

HARRIS WOULD BE FIRST FEMALE U.S. PRESIDENT

Harris emerged as the Democratic candidate little more than a month ago when allies of President Joe Biden, 81, forced him to quit the race. If successful, she stands to make history as the first woman elected U.S. president.

She described the Nov. 5 election as a “precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward.”

Harris drew a series of contrasts with Trump, accusing him of not fighting for the middle class, planning to enact a tax hike through his tariff proposals, and having set in motion the end of a constitutional right to abortion with his picks for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Harris noted the Supreme Court’s recent ruling about presidential immunity and the risks that would engender if Trump gained power again.

“Just imagine Donald Trump with no guard rails,” she said.

Trump, who had promised to respond to Harris’ speech in real time, posted a series of messages on Truth Social as she spoke about him, including: “She stands for Incompetence and Weakness – Our Country is being laughed at all over the World!” and “She will never be respected by the Tyrants of the World!”

FINAL NIGHT

Chicago’s United Center brimmed with energy – and people. The arena’s 23,500 seats were filled and arena staff briefly blocked more people from entering the facility, saying the city’s fire marshal declared the building at capacity.

After Harris ended her speech, 100,000 balloons descended on the crowd, a convention official said. Inflating them took 75 volunteers, 30 staff members and a dozen unionized stage hands.

Biden called Harris to wish her luck before her speech, a White House spokesperson said.

During her brief campaign, Harris had yet to articulate much of her vision for the country, and Republicans say Democrats have spent more time attacking Trump than elaborating on how they would govern.

On Thursday night, Harris said she will pass a middle tax cut that will benefit more than 100 million Americans.

She discussed her plans to fight for abortion rights, voting rights legislation, boost the housing supply and ban what she has called “price gouging” by grocers. Her campaign has also proposed raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28%.

Before the speech, thousands of Palestinian supporters once again gathered to protest U.S. support for Israel as it wages war in Gaza. The issue is one of the most divisive among Democrats and got little attention at the convention, which could hurt Democrats at the polls.

Delegates from the Uncommitted National Movement, which mobilized nearly 750,000 voters to withhold support for Biden during the presidential primaries, entered the venue linking arms and took their seats. Members spent Wednesday night on the sidewalk outside the convention to protest the DNC’s rejection of their request for a Palestinian speaker.