Booker defends Democrats, Harris amid backlash for lack of Palestinian speaker at convention

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Sunday argued Vice President Harris feels “urgently” about reaching a cease-fire and hostage release deal in the Israel-Hamas war, as she and the Democratic National Convention face criticism for not featuring a Palestinian speaker at the event.

“Well, I know politics is critically important, but I know Kamala, Vice President Harris, very personally. She’s been anguished over this conflict from the first reports of the Hamas attacks,” Booker said when asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” if it was a “mistake” for the convention to not include a Palestinian American speaker.

“She has felt urgently that we have got to bring about a cease-fire, get the hostages returned, and end the enormity of the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people,” he said.

“I think that the convention did a good job of bringing up this conflict over and over again, from Vice President Harris herself, to my friend [Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.)], to even past presidents all spoke to the urgency for us to end this conflict and bring about a cease-fire, end Palestinian suffering, get the hostages released, which includes American hostages,” Booker added.

A number of congressional Democrats, uncommitted delegates and pro-Palestinian activists criticized Harris and the convention for the denial of a Palestinian American speaker at the event as the party continues to navigate discussions around the Israel-Hamas war.

Some were particularly upset by the rejection of a speaker because the parents of an American hostage held by Hamas were given time at the convention for a speech.

Booker said he is “encouraged” because Harris is part of the Biden administration, which he argued is doing an “extraordinary job” trying to end the war and prevent it from escalating into other parts of the Middle East.

During her speech, Harris pledged to always defend Israel against terrorist attacks, calling out Hamas for the deadly Oct. 7 attacks, during which they killed about 1,200 people and took roughly 250 hostages in southern Israel. She also expressed her concern about the toll in Gaza, where more than 40,000 people have died.

“What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating,” she said to a round of applause. “The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security and freedom to self-determination.”

Some war protesters have called for a more direct condemnation of the conflict from Harris and a more nuanced perspective than President Biden has given.

Negotiations for a cease-fire and hostage release deal appeared to collapse last week as Israel and Hamas remain at odds on major issues. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Middle East last week to push negotiations toward the finish line but left without any major agreement in place.