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
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

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

Iraq’s PMF law seen as test of sovereignty amid US objections

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

“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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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