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.

  • Keeponstalin@lemmy.worldOP
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    2 months ago

    As an American, the only ones that are funded by US military aid are Israel’s genocide of Gaza and Saudi Arabia’s genocide of Syria (that I’m aware of). Those are the only ones that I can try to get my government to stop giving unconditional military support to and instead threaten conditional support or even sanctions to stop the genocide. Of course I also support using soft power such as sanctions to add pressure on other powers to stop their genocides, such as on Russia and China, along with other international pressures like thru the ICC and ICJ

    • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      One again, what they say and what they do are two different things. The Gaza genocide is not being funded by the USA. They have pledged support to assuage some concerns and delayed the delivery of it to avoid expanding the conflict.

      • aleph@lemm.ee
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        2 months ago

        Sorry, that’s completely wrong. Israel is still extremely reliant on the US military hardware – tanks, planes, missiles, guns, you name it. The vast majority of the bombs being dropped on Gaza come from the US, also.

        https://www.npr.org/2024/04/04/1242911786/a-closer-look-at-u-s-military-support-for-israel

        https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/us/israel-gaza-bombs.html

        Also, the Biden administration merely delayed one shipment of 2,000 lb bombs. Netanyahu claimed that the Biden administration was holding back more, but this was just a PR move. The US is still happily sending tank engines, planes, guns, and smaller bombs to Israel.

        Al in all, the Biden administration has done very little to effectively restrain Netanyahu. The “bear hug” strategy has been an unmitigated failure.

        • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Ok, I’m wrong then. I’m happy to report Biden isn’t running again. Are you advocating to boycott the vote?

          • aleph@lemm.ee
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            2 months ago

            I’m not advocating either way, although the horrors I’ve seen happening in Gaza are on a whole other level than anything I’ve witnessed before.

            I wouldn’t blame anyone who votes third party, or even sits this one out

            • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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              2 months ago

              And whoever does that is a damned fool for letting Trump win.

              I don’t need to know every detail of the financials to know that.

              • IAmNotACat@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                You are literally in here trying to absolve the US from their role in an active genocide. You don’t get to moralise about damned fools.

                If I still lived in America, I’d be voting Democrat because I think it’d be stupid to do otherwise, but your political stance is genuinely disgusting.

                • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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                  2 months ago

                  Not even slightly. I was pointing out that Democrats are the only ones who are going to work against it. I was mistaken about the financials.

                  You just read into it whatever you wanted.

                  • IAmNotACat@lemmy.world
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                    2 months ago

                    You are not in any position to say they are going to work against it if you are mistaken about a key component of it such as the financials.

          • aleph@lemm.ee
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            2 months ago

            I’m not advocating either way, although the horrors I’ve seen committed in Gaza are on a whole other level than anything I’ve witnessed before.

            I wouldn’t blame anyone who votes third party, or even sits this one out.

        • Olhonestjim@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Ok then I’m wrong. I’m not saying no aid is getting through to Israel. I’m also not saying Biden took the right position with them. We’ve been funding them for decades. It isn’t easy to close that tap. And close it we should.

          If you’re advocating for refusing to vote Democrat and let Trump win, then you need to face the points I made above. Because you can rest assured, Trump does not give a damn about anyone dying. The Democrats are the best we’ve got.