The Democratic National Convention (DNC) was winding down with little controversy until yesterday, when the Democratic National Committee decided to refuse Pro-Palestinian delegates attempt to get a Palestinian American speaker on the main stage. As a result, “uncommitted” delegates — representing a Democratic primary campaign that encouraged voters to choose President Joe Biden “undecided” to express the president’s displeasure with Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza — took a stand outside the convention hall. Now, “uncertain” representatives and their allies have launched one Last minute pressure campaign Get a speaker on the last night.
One of the potential speakers put forward by organizers of the Uncommitted National Movement was Ruwa Roman, a Palestinian American and Democratic member of the Georgia House of Representatives. He told me he and the “reluctant” delegates felt optimistic about getting a speaking slot because as of yesterday, the Democratic National Committee was still in talks with the group and had said no to their request.
On the surface, it might seem obvious that Democrats would not want a speaker critical of the Biden administration over the conduct of the war. But Roman, who prepared a speech when convention organizers tapped him to take the stage, had no such intentions. Instead, he simply wanted to highlight the human story behind the plight of the Palestinians. His draft speech Harris-Walz called on people to support the ticket and criticized former President Donald Trump for using the term Palestinian as a slur.
That’s why despite Democrats’ refusal to elevate a Palestinian voice to the main stage. Talking to family members An Israeli American hostage, rubbed many voters the wrong way — especially those who expected Harris to take a more sympathetic view of Gaza than Biden. The group Muslim Women for Harris-Walz, for example, Disbanded immediately After news broke that there would be no Palestinian speakers at the convention.
And for Roman, the party welcomed Republicans to the stage and felt little to say no, not just to him, but to Palestinians more broadly. “When I saw [Republican former] Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan on that stage, knowing that the party had rejected me — a member of the party and a Democratic elected official — frankly, it was too much,” he said.
The episode is another blow to softening opposition to Harris from Arab and Muslim American voters, as well as others who see the Gaza war as a major concern. After Biden dropped out, Harris had an opportunity to distance himself from the “Genocide Joe” rally cry that has become common at pro-Palestinian protests. And requesting a speaking slot, the unexpected movement offered him an olive branch – a small gesture to show he was listening. But by rejecting that offer, the Harris campaign risks fracturing an already fragile coalition.
Fighting over speaking slots is what it really is
After Biden stepped down, many anti-Biden Democrats worried about the Gaza war saw an opportunity to reset.
“Reluctant” delegates are primarily indicated That the Harris campaign was much more open to discussing their concerns than the Biden campaign. And in the weeks since Harris was nominated, the Democratic Party has made a handful of gestures to show it is listening to voters’ concerns about Gaza. The Harris-Walz campaign manager, for example, met the inflexible national movement. And the Democratic National Committee has given space to a Palestinian panel of doctors who worked in Gaza during the war Talked about horror They are witnesses.
But on their own, these gestures weren’t enough to assuage voters’ concerns, especially because refusing to have a Palestinian American speak at the convention sends a signal that the party isn’t interested in promoting the issue. And there have been moments when the campaign has completely written off pro-Palestinian voters. At a rally in Detroit earlier this month, for example, Harris shut down protesters in favor of a ceasefire. “You know what? If you want Donald Trump to win, say so. Otherwise, I say” she saidClearly annoyed by the staff. If he really wants to reassure pro-Palestinian voters, Harris will have a tough job distancing himself from Biden while still serving as his number two. But that’s why small gestures like a speaking slot can go a long way.
“It was supposed to be a symbolic bare minimum ask,” said Roman, the Georgia representative. “We understand that we cannot change policy in a single election cycle, and this was thought to be an easy way to unite us on this issue. Many people care about this. Anyone at the convention has seen the amount of people wearing pins and keffiahs and flags. It’s everywhere.”
It also seems that giving a Palestinian American a speaking slot wouldn’t necessarily be as risky as the party thinks, especially among the Democratic base. something Members of Congress and others Democratic officials has been Party push from Palestinian speaker hosts At the convention, and groups like the United Auto Workers union also supported the idea. And Israel’s actions in Gaza remain deeply unpopular among Democrats, with polls showing a The majority of Americans are in denial About Israel’s conduct of war.
Asked by Vox why the Democratic National Committee would not agree to have a Palestinian speaker at the convention, the Harris campaign declined to answer. But that is given to “reluctant” delegates The party has been seeking a speaking slot for almost two months And while the Democratic National Committee didn’t officially say so until yesterday, it appears that fitting the speaker may be on the table.
The problem for the Democratic Party is that as it pitches itself as a big tent, it is now falling short of walking the sidewalk. It’s safe to assume that not every speaker on that stage in Chicago represents Harris’ views or policy objectives, and even the official party platforms don’t represent everything the president will push for while in the White House. So even if a Palestinian speaker were to say something the Harris campaign disagreed with, it wouldn’t be the end of the world — after all, it looks like a big tent.
For much of the convention, Democrats focused their messaging civil rights, human dignityAnd Projecting a The image of modesty But if the party completely resists pressure to have Palestinians speak at the convention, the DNC is sending the message that what’s happening to the Palestinians is an exception — not so much a serious injustice that should be addressed as an inconvenience. Better to ignore. At least that’s what Palestinian American voters or their allies, who are all too familiar with the many efforts to keep their voices out of the national conversation, can benefit from this disaster.
“The message that I’m getting, personally, is that what we do is never going to be good enough,” Roman told me. “Then how do I go back [to Georgia] And argue to people that I know that this is a party that is credible and trustworthy?
