CHICAGO — Organizers of the Democratic National Convention have decided not to award a speaking slot to a speaker who would talk about the impact of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, according to a person familiar with the convention planning who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose a decision that was not yet public.
Representatives of “uncommitted” delegates to the convention — who have been withholding their support for Vice President Kamala Harris to protest the Biden administration’s staunch support of Israel amid the war in Gaza — had been pressing for one of several speakers to be allowed to address the delegates about the devastation in Gaza.
Those making the request were not given a reason for the denial. But many Democratic leaders were concerned that such a speech from the podium would threaten the unity that has been on vivid display at the convention.
“That’s unacceptable to us. This is not over,” said Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement.
The decision, which was finalized after the program on the third night of the convention had already begun, was a stinging blow to leaders of the “uncommitted” movement, who had been asking for a speaking slot for someone who would recount the impact of the war in Gaza.
Representatives of the roughly three dozen uncommitted delegates had been in negotiations with the Harris campaign for a number of weeks on several issues. They asked for policy positions and in-person meetings that they said would reassure Arab and Muslim Americans that the campaign was sensitive to their concerns.
A number of convention speakers have mentioned the war on the main stage. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison — who was the first Muslim American in Congress and whose son, Minneapolis City council member Jeremiah Ellison, is one of the 10 uncommitted delegates from Minnesota — spoke Wednesday night.
As the convention approached, the campaign had been working to lower the temperature and avoid a public fight, and Harris had sent signals to pro-Palestinian activists that she was open to hearing their concerns.
The uncommitted delegates had been hopeful of getting a speaking slot because of this open channel of communication with the Harris campaign, which they consider a significant improvement from their relations with the Biden campaign.
Ahead of the convention, campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez and senior staffers of the Democratic National Committee met with members of the Uncommitted National Movement. The campaign gave uncommitted delegates extra passes for staff and friends to attend the convention and provided space to hold a news conference.
They provided Palestinians with space to hold a panel Monday, something that had not occurred in previous conventions. At the panel, Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatric surgeon who has worked in Gaza during the war, spoke of treating children who lost their families. Hala Hijazi, a Democratic Party organizer, said she has lost dozens of family members in Gaza, including two killed last week.
The uncommitted movement had suggested that Haj-Hassan, Illinois state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid and Georgia state Rep. Ruwa Romman be considered as speakers.
Despite the conciliatory moves made by convention organizers and the Harris campaign, not having a speaker on the main stage was a major disappointment for the uncommitted movement.
Among the speakers who have mentioned the conflict in Gaza on the main stage, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) went the furthest, saying, “We must end this horrific war in Gaza, bring home the hostages and demand an immediate cease-fire.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) defended Harris, saying the vice president was “working tirelessly to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and bring the hostages home.” Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) declared, “I need the poor children of Israel and the poor children of Gaza, I need the Israelis and Palestinians … to be okay.”
And President Joe Biden, who has been the largest target of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, said the protesters outside the convention hall “have a point.”
