Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Democratic National Convention for excluding a Palestinian American speaker, stating that it feels like her community is being ignored. She emphasized that being a Palestinian American often comes with a sense of invisibility, as both major parties either use their identity negatively or fail to acknowledge their struggles.
In an interview with Zeteo, Tlaib lamented how this neglect contributes to a broader feeling of pain and trauma being disregarded. Tlaib, along with other progressive lawmakers, criticized the convention for its lack of Palestinian representation.
The absence of a Palestinian speaker at the DNC leaves Tlaib and allies feeling their community’s struggles are overlooked
Advocacy groups, like the Uncommitted National Movement, had pushed for a Palestinian speaker, hoping it would signal a shift in Vice President Harris’s stance from President Biden’s policies regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
The absence of such a speaker left many pro-Palestinian allies upset, especially after the convention featured the parents of an American hostage held by Hamas. Tlaib, the sole Palestinian-American member of Congress, shared her belief that the convention appeared to value Israeli lives over Palestinian ones, sparking further discussion.
Her colleague, Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), echoed similar sentiments, expressing that it was a missed opportunity to include a Palestinian perspective. She noted that there is often a hesitation to address Palestinian issues, especially after the Hamas attacks on Israel in October.
During her speech, Harris reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel but also acknowledged the heavy loss of life in Gaza, promising efforts to bring an end to the conflict and ensure the rights of Palestinians. However, some pro-Palestinian activists desired a stronger condemnation of the conflict from Harris.
