Democratic National Convention officials rejected a request to allow Palestinian Americans to speak from the conference’s main stage. In protest of that decision, a group of “Uncommitted” delegates critical of the party’s stance on the war, staged a sit-in in front of the United Center Wednesday evening as party leaders continued speaking inside
DNC organizers did not comment on the record on their decision to exclude Palestinian American speakers from the main stage at the four-day convention.
Earlier this month, they had suggested as a speaker Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric intensive care physician who most recently treated patients in Gaza with the nonprofit Medical Aid for Palestinians. Delegates also proposed a number of Palestinian American elected officials to DNC officials. Until Wednesday, Uncommitted members had expressed that negotiations with the DNC had proceeded in good faith.
As the party coalesced support around Harris in recent months, delegates committed to Harris also joined the Uncommitted movement’s push for a ceasefire and change in Israel policy. At least 200 Harris delegates signed a pledge pushing the administration to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Harris has called for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians in Gaza, though it’s not yet clear whether her administration would adopt a policy toward Israel that differs from Biden’s.
Among the Harris delegates opposing U.S. support for Israel’s war in Gaza were several who unfurled a banner during Biden’s speech on Monday with the message, “Stop Arming Israel.” Other delegates seated around them responded by hitting and blocking them with “We Love Joe” signs and eventually snatched the banner away. Delegate Nadia Ahmad filed a complaint with Chicago Police on Wednesday alleging that she was the victim of simple battery.
Innocents are dying because Hamas refuses to surrender and stop attacking Israel with thousands of rockets, and also because they hide behind human shields, and operate within civilian areas, for the sole purpose of causing high levels of collateral damage whenever Israel destroys a piece of Hamas’ military infrastructure or hardware.
Gosh, how easy it is to rationalise the killing of children. How easy it is to forget that Netanyahu funded Hamas. Aren’t humans fascinating!
Edit: Israel is a strange country if it can only exist by killing children. Me? I think people are more important than countries. People came first, invented the concept, would exist without them, and countries rely on them to be socially imagined. So, people > any country.