Was supremely moved by this speech, which was searing and compassionate. Also seems essential to include a Palestinian speaker to the convention. https://t.co/VoNi6kdQsq https://t.co/Bol88zLkZK
— Chris Hayes (@chrislhayes) August 22, 2024
The National Committee and the presidential nominee could have chosen to allow a Palestinian speaker to address the convention. As reported by Mother Jones, there were negotiations between the DNC and representatives of Uncommitted delegates to permit Georgia State Representative Ruwa Romman, a Palestinian-American and Democrat, to deliver a (two-minute) speech to the convention. The most radical and controversial portion (really) of the statement would have been
I’ve also witnessed something profound—a beautiful, multifaith, multiracial, and multigenerational coalition rising from despair within our Democratic Party. For 320 days, we’ve stood together, demanding to enforce our laws on friend and foe alike to reach a ceasefire, end the killing of Palestinians, free all the Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and to begin the difficult work of building a path to collective peace and safety.
That’s why we are here—members of this Democratic Party committed to equal rights and dignity for all. I’ve also witnessed something profound—a beautiful, multifaith, multiracial, and multigenerational coalition rising from despair within our Democratic Party. For 320 days, we’ve stood together, demanding to enforce our laws on friend and foe alike to reach a ceasefire, end the killing of Palestinians, free all the Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and to begin the difficult work of building a path to collective peace and safety. That’s why we are here—members of this Democratic Party committed to equal rights and dignity for all. What we do here echoes around the world.
Ms. Romman would have called for a ceasefire. which would have end the killing of Gazans. The most radical of the entire statement was the call for release of all Israeli and Palestinian "hostages" which of course is based on a false premise because there is a significant difference between hostages, taken by Hamas, and alleged criminal offenders, in custody in Israel.
Nonetheless, according to Romman herself, the DNC never even asked to review her proposed comments. So there probably was something else, such as ethnic attire identity as a Palestinian, which precluded approval of a speech because of its political impact.
It was not "essential to include a Palestinian speaker to the convention" when the organizers included with a speech by Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg, parents to Harry Goldberg-Polin, And they stated
We’ve met with President Biden and Vice President Harris numerous times at the White House. They’re both working tirelessly for a hostage and ceasefire deal that will bring our precious children, mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents and grandchildren home and will stop the despair in Gaza.
While criticizing the role of Arlington National Cemetery in permitting a photo-op for Donald Trump on the fourth anniversary of the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, Charles Pierce nonetheless wrote "if the families found a kind of peace in his presence on Monday, I respect that and I hope it brings them solace."
In the same manner, I applaud the DNC for giving a forum to family members of a hostage held by Hamas. However, notwithstanding the symbolism, the crux of their statement did not differ significantly from that which Palestinian Romman would have given. The Polins called for "a hostage and ceasefire dealt hat will bring our precious children, mothers, fathers, spouses, grandparents and grandchildren home and will stop the despair in Gaza."
Minus the equivalence of prisoners with hostages, that is very similar to what probably would have been a powerful, though misguided, speech by Romman. They both call for a ceasefire, and they're not calling for a fairly brief one- as supported by Israel- but a permanent one, as demanded by the Hamas representatives. Moreover, the chant that rang out from the floor of the Democratic Convention was not "Release the hostages" as it should have been. It was "bring them home."
Hamas cannot "bring them home." Even the relatively neutral parties- Egypt, Qatar, and the USA- can "bring them home." Only Israel can bring them home, presumably only by a negotiated surrender- permanent ceasefire, release of many if not all Palestinian prisoners of whatever citizenship, and perhaps withdrawal from all of Gaza. Further, parents of hostages can have no effect on Hamas, only upon Israel, whether directly or indirectly through pressure on the Biden Administration.
The onus was hence placed on Israel: as Romman would have, the Polins did, and the convention attendees enthusiastically did. The Democratic National Committee might have approved a Palestinian speaker. Instead, it welcomed speakers who are Jewish, have been victimized by the kidnapping of a loved one, and who inspired the message to the Netanyahu government of "bring them home."
"Bring them home" demonstrated a concern for hostages, most of them Jewish. "Stop the despair in Gaza" reflected a concern for Palestinians, most of them Muslim. And it was all done without giving the GOP and its allies fertile ground for an attack ad.. And a ceasefire was advocated, which might not be good for a steadfast American ally or for eventual peace and security for the Middle East but serves well the interests of the convention's guest of honor. From the standpoint of the nominee of the Democratic Party, who is the Vice President serving in an Administration desperate for an agreement (perhaps any agreement), it was brilliance beyond almost anyone's imagination.
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