The 2024 Democratic National Convention was an exhausting rollercoaster ride for Arab Americans and supporters of Palestinian rights. It was a messy affair, with highs and lows, some small victories and some setbacks. But on balance, the naysayers are wrong, because Palestine and supporters of Palestinian rights were big winners during the four days in Chicago.
We didn’t get language on the Palestine-Israel conflict changed in the party platform, nor did we get a Palestinian-American speaker in prime time from the convention’s main stage. But the issue of Palestine was front and centre from Monday to Thursday, and in the days that followed. They were small wins, to be sure, but they were victories, nonetheless.
On Monday, the convention agreed to host a panel on Palestinian suffering at an official site. It was co-chaired by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and myself. It featured compelling testimonies.
Dr Tanya Haj-Hassan told harrowing stories of children and medical workers who were victims of the genocidal war on Gaza. Layla Elabed, a Palestinian-American leader of the national Uncommitted Movement that garnered 750,000 voters, protested the administration’s complicity in the war. There were strong speeches from former Congressman Andy Levin, who lost his re-election due to Aipac spending millions to defeat him, and Hala Hijazi, a Palestinian-American Democratic Party fundraiser who had lost scores of family members in Gaza.
There had been more than 30 of these official side panels hosted by the campaign. Most had been sparsely attended by delegates and party members; for example, the one on the war in Ukraine had fewer than 100 participants. This session on Palestine had well over 300 attendees, with most deeply moved by what they heard. There were many tears shed as well as a number of standing ovations in support of the speakers and issues raised.
It was understood that securing the official sponsorship for the panel wasn’t the victory we sought. Our goal remains a change in US policy. But recognition of Palestinian suffering and Israel and the US’s responsibility for producing this genocidal war was important and could not be dismissed.
News that an Israeli-American family would take the convention’s main stage to tell about their son who is a Hamas-held hostage upped the ante and led us to insist that a Palestinian American also be invited to tell the story of their family in Gaza. Days of negotiations followed. When the decision was made to not extend an invitation, Abbas Alawieh, another of the leaders of the National Uncommitted Movement, led a protest walkout from the arena and a sit-in in front of the convention.
This campaign decision was an unforced error. It was deeply hurtful to Palestinian Americans who felt their humanity wasn’t being recognised. It threatened to erase the positives gained by the campaign’s recognition of our panel, leaving supporters of Palestinian rights with a sour taste in their mouths.
But it also meant – and this is important to recognise – that the issue of Palestine and the effort to silence our voices would once again be elevated to the centre of discussion. Over the next 24 hours, there were several news conferences and campaigners spoke one-on-one with dozens of journalists ensuring that the issue of Palestinian rights would continue to be discussed – and it was.
Harris's words about Palestinian suffering were passionate and more than any other presidential nominee has ever said
Endorsements for having a Palestinian-American speaker came from members of Congress, national organisations (including Jewish groups), black and Hispanic leaders, two prominent Jewish newspapers, and even the Israeli-American family who had spoken at the convention.
Reviewing the convention itself, it was moving to see hundreds of delegates, including hundreds of Harris supporters, wearing keffiyehs or “Democrats for Palestine” buttons, including Ms Harris’s niece. It was also important to note that when Palestine was mentioned by speakers, it was greeted by rousing applause.
And while in her speech, Ms Harris included the usual commitments to Israel’s security, her words about Palestinian suffering were passionate and punctuated by her commitment to their “freedom, security, dignity and self-determination”. That’s more than any other presidential nominee has ever said. And so, despite the hurt, the entire saga represented a win – one we must recognise and embrace, and on which we must now build.
Thirty-six years ago, I was the last Arab American to speak about Palestinian rights at a national party convention when, in 1988, I presented the Jesse Jackson campaign’s minority plank on Palestinian rights from the podium in Atlanta. I knew it was a historic moment, and in the days that followed, I experienced the backlash from pro-Israel forces within the party. They pressured me to resign from my post as a member of the Democratic National Committee. It was then that Rev Jackson taught me two important lessons I’ve not forgotten.
The first was: “When you win a victory, embrace it but never turn your back, because the knives will be out to get you.” The other was: “Never quit, because that’s exactly what your enemies want you to do. What they fear most is that you’ll stick around to fight.”
These lessons apply today, with a difference.
In 1988, we were able to raise the issue because it was a powerful Jackson-led movement. Today’s movement for justice for Palestinians isn’t riding on the back of a leader. It is a people-powered movement, from the bottom up. This effort has mobilised to pass ceasefire resolutions in more than 350 cities and won the support of major unions, black, Latino and Asian organisations.
It is responsible for demonstrations rallying millions of Americans and camps on more than 100 college campuses, and attracting over 750,000 votes in Democratic primaries. Polls show that most Democrats want a ceasefire, conditions attached to arms sent to Israel, and securing rights for Palestinians.
Now isn’t the time to withdraw in defeatist anger. Instead, it’s imperative to recognise the victories won and continue to engage with allies in the political process, because change will come – but only if this work continues.
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TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
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The five pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam
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Rating: 4/5
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
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What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
Jetour T1 specs
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Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
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Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
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6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
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10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
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6.30pm AF Alwajel
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
Founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
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Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
Funding stage: series A; $20 million
Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
