Their request, however, has been denied by convention organizers, leading to protests and disappointment among the activists.

Despite the atmosphere of celebration surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris's nomination, tensions have arisen within the party over the exclusion of a speaker who can shed light on the conditions in Gaza. Activist and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has called on the Democratic National Committee to reconsider their decision and allow a speaker to discuss the plight of Palestinians in the region.

The United Auto Workers union, a prominent supporter of the Democratic party, has also voiced their support for a Palestinian American speaker at the convention. Highlighting the significance of the large Arab American population in key swing states like Michigan, the union emphasized the importance of addressing the Palestinian perspective to win the upcoming election.

Even a relative of an Israeli American hostage being held by Hamas has expressed support for a pro-Palestinian speaker at the convention. The call for representation has gained momentum, with activists arguing that denying them a speaking slot disregards the magnitude of the violence and devastation in Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza began when Hamas militants breached the border fence with Israel, resulting in the death of around 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages. In response, Israel launched a major military offensive aimed at eliminating Hamas, resulting in a reported 40,000 deaths according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The decision to allow the parents of an Israeli American hostage to speak on the main stage further intensified calls for a pro-Palestinian speaker. While activists supported the inclusion of the hostage's parents, they raised concerns about the absence of a Palestinian American voice to articulate the suffering in Gaza during the convention.

In an effort to appease the activists, the Harris campaign granted them several concessions, including meetings with senior campaign officials, vigil space at the convention, and a panel specifically focused on Gaza featuring pro-Palestinian voices. However, the refusal to provide a main-stage speaking slot has been seen as a significant setback.

The dispute between the activists and convention organizers lingers as the nearly 4,000 delegates eagerly anticipate Harris's acceptance speech. While the protests at the convention have been smaller than anticipated, the issue of how the Harris campaign handles Israel's conduct in the Gaza war could persist throughout the campaign, particularly if a cease-fire agreement is not reached before Election Day.

Communication between the Harris campaign and the uncommitted movement is ongoing, but the discussions regarding a speaking slot are unlikely to be reopened. Notably, prominent figures such as Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders have mentioned Gaza and called for a cease-fire during their speeches on the main stage.

As the Democratic National Convention progresses, the question of whether Harris will address the Gaza conflict during her acceptance speech remains unanswered. This decision could serve as a crucial signal to both the pro-Palestinian activists and the broader party regarding the campaign's stance on the issue.

Overall, the denial of a speaking slot to pro-Palestinian activists at the Democratic National Convention has sparked protests and disappointment among activist groups. Their demand to shed light on the conditions in Gaza is seen as an essential step towards acknowledging and addressing the ongoing conflict and suffering in the region.