Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
Trump's Air Force One lands in Tel Aviv
Al-Qassam: To our free prisoners: Gaza, its Resistance, have given their most precious possessions, have striven with all their might to break your chains; we pledge that your cause will remain at the top of our national priorities until you are all freed.

Pro-Palestine speakers denied time at DNC, given to pro-'Israel'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 22 Aug 2024 15:44
  • 6 Shares
4 Min Read

A couple whose son is captive in Gaza are allowed to speak and receive a standing ovation while pro-Palestine speakers scheduled for airtime to speak on Gaza are cut out.

Listen
  • x
  • Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz embraces his wife Gwen after speaking on the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Aug. 21, 2024. (Pool/AP)
    Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz embraces his wife Gwen after speaking on the third day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, August 21, 2024. (AP)

While pro-Israeli speakers were featured at this week's Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, pro-Palestinian delegates were not given the chance to discuss the detrimental effects of "Israel's" war on Gaza.

A proposal to have a speaker discuss how the genocide has affected the Gaza Strip was turned down by convention organizers, The Washington Post said, citing an unnamed source familiar with the issue.

The proposal was made by "uncommitted" delegates who refused to back Vice President Kamala Harris because they disapproved of the Biden administration's adamant support for "Israel". The speakers the delegates had intended to bring to the table to talk about the destruction in Gaza were abruptly cut out.

Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement, said, “That’s unacceptable to us. This is not over.”

The Uncommitted Movement pushed to include Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan on the speaker list, hoping the convention’s thousands of attendees would hear from a doctor who has treated victims of the war on Gaza. However, their request was only partially granted at first, with a panel held at the nearby McCormick Center rather than in the main venue. During the panel, the pediatrician vividly described the horrors of war, moving many in the audience to tears.

AOC denounces move by DNC organizers

Another vocal member of Congress from New York, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, denounced the choice and urged the convention to change its mind.

Read next: 51% of GenZ has very little presidency trust; DNC viewership 22% lower

Related News

US-China trade tensions tighten global copper supply

Trump addresses Israeli Knesset, boasts war crimes in region

“Just as we must honor the humanity of hostages, so too must we center the humanity of the 40,000 Palestinians killed under Israeli bombardment,” AOC posted on X, adding, “To deny that story is to participate in the dehumanization of Palestinians. The DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity.”

Just as we must honor the humanity of hostages, so too must we center the humanity of the 40,000 Palestinians killed under Israeli bombardment.

To deny that story is to participate in the dehumanization of Palestinians. The @DNC must change course and affirm our shared humanity. https://t.co/bxk8wk63oK

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 22, 2024

On the other hand, Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg took the stage at the conference in Chicago on Wednesday. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, their son, was at the Nova music festival on October 7 and is one of the captives. 

The couple received a standing ovation from thousands of Democratic delegates, who also chanted "bring him home."

Polin said, “This is a political convention, but needing our only son and all of the cherished hostages home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue," noting that both Joe Biden and Harris were “both working tirelessly for a hostage and cease-fire deal.”

'A terrible message'

In addition, Uncommitted pro-Palestinian delegates began a sit-in demonstration outside the convention on Wednesday night in protest of the absence of a speaker who was American-Palestinian.

Following the Polin-Goldberg speech, the group Muslim Women For Harris Walz said, “We cannot in good conscience continue Muslim Women for Harris-Walz in light of this new information from the Uncommitted movement, that VP Harris' team declined their request to have a Palestinian American speaker take the stage at the DNC.”

They added, “The family of the Israeli hostage that was on the stage tonight has shown more empathy towards Palestinian Americans and Palestinians than our candidate or the DNC has,” noting, "This is a terrible message to send to Democrats. Palestinians have the right to speak about Palestine". 

Before the convention ended, they pleaded with the DNC and Harris's team to reevaluate their choice "for the sake of each of us."

As the Democratic Party's National Convention commenced two days ago, large demonstrations took place in Chicago demanding an end to sending arms to "Israel" and the cessation of the war on Gaza.

US Vice President Kamala Harris's National Security Advisor, Philip Gordon, stated earlier this month that the Democratic presidential candidate "does not support an arms embargo on Israel."

  • United States
  • DNC
  • Palestine
  • Tim Walz
  • Kamala Harris
  • Israel
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta
Palestine

'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta

drop site
Politics

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

ap
Politics

SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal to integrate forces

Palestinians search through the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on October 12, 2025. (AFP)
Politics

Gaza families return to ruins, searching for their loved ones

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS