Democratic Delegate Liano Sharon Leads Protest Against U.S. $20 Billion Arms Sale to Israel During Biden’s Speech at National Convention in Chicago
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
6 minutes read. Updated 12:43PM GMT Tues, 20August, 2024
On the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, a small group of Democratic delegates staged a protest against U.S. arms sales to Israel, drawing significant attention and sparking controversy. The demonstration occurred during President Joe Biden’s speech, where delegates held up signs reading “Stop Arming Israel.” The protest underscored a growing divide within the Democratic Party over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
The protesters, who were quickly subdued by security personnel, had their signs confiscated, and the lights in their section of the gathering were turned off, effectively silencing their message. Despite the swift action, the protest highlighted the deepening discontent among some Democrats over the Biden administration’s decision to approve a $20 billion arms sale to Israel just a week prior to the convention.
The controversy surrounding U.S. support for Israel has intensified in recent months, particularly in light of Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. Since the offensive began on October 7 last year, following a cross-border attack by Palestinian militants that left over a thousand Israelis dead and more than 200 taken hostage, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 40,000 Palestinians, many of whom are women and children. The scale of the violence has led to widespread condemnation and calls for the U.S. to reconsider its unwavering support for Israel.
One of the protesting delegates, Liano Sharon, a Democrat from Michigan and a Jewish American, expressed his profound disappointment with the U.S. government’s stance. “I was always brought up to believe that ‘never again’ means never again for anyone, anywhere, ever. Period. And that’s not what’s happening right now,” Sharon stated. “We are continuing to fund and support an ongoing genocide, the mass murder of children. And it needs to stop.”
The protest inside the convention center mirrored the sentiments of thousands of demonstrators outside, who participated in a largely peaceful pro-Palestinian rally. The demonstrators called for an end to the war in Gaza and demanded changes to the Democratic Party’s platform to reflect a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Many protesters voiced their anger over the United States’ continued support for Israel’s military actions, arguing that it perpetuates the cycle of violence and hinders the possibility of a peaceful resolution.
As the convention progresses, further disruptions are anticipated, especially during high-profile speeches. The growing unrest among Democrats over U.S. foreign policy toward Israel may lead to significant debates within the party, potentially influencing the party’s stance on the issue in the future.
