A Palestinian flag flew inside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Monday night.
The flag was reportedly raised by #ProgressiveforPalestine, a group with a mission to unify pro-Palestinian groups and ideas under one banner.
While the foreign flag was on display, it looked as if it was the only such symbol on the floor. Few red, white and blue flags were hoisted at the same time. Several news outlets, including Fox News, later reported that the DNC had forbidden the flying of the US flag because it was offensive to so many who were in attendance. The source of that lie was UncleSamsMisguidedChildren.com, which suggested that US flags were banned because they “were offensive to so many Democrats.” Fox News ultimately corrected its dreadful error. But the reason that whopper was even momentarily credible is that on the first day of the DNC, there really were few American flags on display.
It’s as if the DNC never thought about how displaying a Palestinian flag on the convention floor and Palestinian placards might offend many American citizens. Or maybe, the party just didn’t care
According to Twitter, which is often the best source of information in today’s new media, a Bernie Sanders delegate Ali Akin Kurnaz unfurled the Palestinian flag. And it wasn’t the only pro-Palestinian symbol on the floor. Some people brandished yellow signs with black letters proclaiming “I support Palestinian Human Rights.”
It’s as if the DNC never thought about how displaying a Palestinian flag on the convention floor and Palestinian placards might offend many American citizens. Or maybe, the party just didn’t care.
The official Democratic platform calls for a two-state solution—a state for the Palestinians and a state for the Israelis (So too does Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister). “We will continue to work toward a two-state solution,” reads the platform, “of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiated directly by the parties that guarantees Israel’s future as a secure and democratic 50 Jewish state with recognized borders and provides the Palestinians with independence, sovereignty, and dignity.”
But the Palestinians at the DNC want much more.
They ere not just showing Palestinian support for the Democratic platform or Hillary Clinton. The flag wavers and placard holders plan to push Democrats further to the left and pressure the party to condemn Israel, America’s most reliable ally.
Let’s hope that won’t fly.
