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.
Their voters are (somehow) split on that issue, so understandable they don't want to highlight a weakness during their convention. There's plenty of other issues that Democrats are split on, too, as with any two party system. (And btw, as a whole, they're still a hell of a lot better on Gaza than their GOP counterparts, or as my crazy GOP uncle-in-law said recently in a family get together, he wants to see Gaza turned to glass as Muslims deserve).
Would I like to see a better DNC? Sure. But I'll accept that at least they're better than last time, allowing AOC to actually give a speech and highlight economic disparities more throughout (as in, less afraid of the socialist label). Plus Harris picked Walz over Shapiro, which really would have reinforced the isreal position.
This endless "they're not as bad as GOP" with regards to an ongoing genocide is so fucking disgusting. They're mass murdering fucking children. They're creating a famine and large scale humanitarian crisis as Palestinians are crammed into an ever smaller area with continuously less food and water.
The only appropriate response is unyielding international condemnation and a demand that Israel withdraw entirely from the Gaza strip and the west bank. There's no such fucking thing as "not as bad as __" when they're still supporting a god damn genocide.
What the fuck is the matter with everyone??
Edit: not sure where anyone is getting that I'm saying to vote for Republicans. Never fucking said that. What I said is:
On the subject of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, and on the ongoing support for a fucking colonial settler state, Democrats and Republicans both are in support. The democratic party is in favor of funding a fucking genocide. There's no moral high ground the Democrats are taking here. They're fucking genociders. And damn them for that.
As bad as it is now, if Trump returns to power, he would make the Palestinian and Ukraine situations so much worse. Beyond that, we could see genocide here.
Because the situation is polarizing in American politics and unlikely to resolve any time soon, it seems unwise to push potentially unpopular policy with short-term gains that lose you an election to someone who would probably celebrate the end of Palestine and their people.
It's like complaining that the roof is leaking and wondering why no-one cares while the house is on fire.
Except instead of the roof leaking, it's a genocide...