The Democratic National Convention will not give any Palestinian or undecided speakers time on stage, a source familiar with the convention planning told NPR, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the decision has not yet been made public.
Speaking at a press conference outside the convention, Independent Delegate Abbas Alawie of Michigan said refusing to give Palestinian-American and independent delegates space on the main stage was an attempt by Democratic nominee Vice President Harris to silence them.
“Trying to suppress us will not get us anywhere,” Alawiye said.
“We’re being very sensible,” Alawie said, adding that he and other staffers outside the United Center would not leave until they received a request from the Harris campaign to allow Palestinian-Americans to speak.
Asked for comment, a spokesman for Harris’ campaign noted the vice president had previously called for a ceasefire.
“The Untethered Delegation calls on the Democratic Party to reject the hierarchy of human values by ensuring that the voice of the Palestinian people is heard on the main stage,” the Untethered National Movement said. wrote in the statement About X.
The movement was formed in response to the Biden administration’s conflict policies as the president seeks reelection.
Earlier in the day, parents of those held hostage by Hamas spoke at the rally. “We strongly support this decision and fervently hope that the voice of the Palestinian people, who have suffered the largest civilian casualties since 1948, will also be heard,” the movement wrote.
As the war enters its 10th month, the Gaza Strip health ministry says the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 40,000. The Oct. 7 attack that sparked the conflict left about 1,200 Israeli dead.
The calls for a Palestinian representative to speak at the Democratic National Convention also came after smaller but tense war-related protests outside the convention.
Some Democrats have expressed hope that Harris will take a tougher stance toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for a ceasefire and promising that the United States will not provide any more military aid to Israel’s war effort.
So far, Harris has not broken with Biden, saying after meeting with Netanyahu last month that she has an “unwavering commitment to Israel” but will “not be silent” about the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.
“I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: Israel has the right to defend itself, and how it does so matters,” Harris said at the time. But she said she had discussed with Netanyahu “serious concerns about the extent of human suffering in Gaza, including the deaths of too many innocent civilians.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who spoke at the convention earlier this week, wrote a letter in support of giving speaking time to Palestinian-Americans.
“Just as we must respect the humanity of the hostages, we must also respect the humanity of the 40,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli bombings,” the New York progressive wrote on X.
“Denying that story is complicit in the dehumanization of Palestinians. The DNC must change course and acknowledge our shared humanity.”
NPR’s Asma Khalid and Sarah McCammon contributed reporting.
