As Israelis platformed at DNC, Palestinian Democrats denied speaking spot and vow to continue speaking out

Throughout the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, a group of dedicated Palestinians have been pushing to get a speaking slot from the community to speak on the DNC stage. On Wednesday evening, they finally got an official response that their request was denied. 

As they see it, with the Democratic Party claiming to equally value Palestinian and Israeli lives, and with the families of Israeli hostages having the opportunity to speak on stage, they believe there should be a Palestinian voice.

"We were hopeful because Vice-President Harris's team was engaging with us," Abbas Alawieh, an uncommitted delegate told reporters outside the United Center, where the Democratic convention has been taking place this week. "We just want to be heard."

The announcement comes after continuous press conferences throughout the convention, as pro-Palestinian delegates have tried to get the word out through the media about wanting a speaking slot.

Even with hours to go, Palestinian Democrats continued to advocate for representation on the convention stage. Activists said they had provided the party with all the names of all Palestinian elected officials for them to choose from as a speaker.

Though they knew that getting a speaking slot was likely a long shot, they are also proud of shifts that have taken place in political discourse in recent years in getting the issue of Palestinian human rights.  

On the second night of the convention, Independent Senator Bernie Sanders did not hold back as he called for an end to the war in Gaza.

"We must end this horrific war in Gaza," he said. "Bring home the hostages and demand an immediate ceasefire!"      

The convention hall erupted in applause, a sign of the gap between the party's establishment, which has resisted openly speaking about Palestinian human rights, and the base, whose voters are increasingly supportive of Palestinians.

On the third night of the convention, there was no mention of Palestinians, even indirectly. There were, however, Israeli speakers who talked about their captive loved ones.

At the end of Wednesday night's speeches, protesters had positioned themselves near the exit, as they read the names of Palestinian children who have died from Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.