Help us keep the momentum going

With the nation’s attention turned toward the historic nomination of Hillary Rodham Clinton this week, the American Muslims for Palestine has been on the street in Philadelphia, working to shift the conversation on Palestine in the national political dialogue. We interacted with delegates, disseminated our educational materials to attendees at the Progressive Democrats of America conference, rallied and helped our friends at the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation to pass out their bright yellow posters, buttons and stickers to convention goers that said, “I support Palestinian human rights.”

We also worked in coalition with partner organizations American Friends Service Committee, Jewish Voice for Peace, Code Pink and others to make sure Palestine was visible this week in Philadelphia. 

We had an impact. The bright yellow posters and stickers were so prevalent in the Wells Fargo Center, their presence was lamented on social media, with the plea, “All the pro-Palestinian yellow stickers at the #DNCinPhilly are truly dispiriting. Where is the overt Israel support?”

The days of “Progressive Except for Palestine” may soon be over as progressive activists told AMP they’d never seen Palestine so prevalent at a progressive conference before. 

“We’re very happy we were able to play a role in bringing the issue of Palestine to delegates at the conventions for both political parties this summer,” said Dr. Osama Abuirshaid, AMP national policy director. “We are in the midst of an historic shift in not only a heightened awareness about Israel’s illegal and inhumane occupation of Palestine, but we also are playing a role in shifting the conversation that eventually will impact our policy in the Middle East.

“It’s true we didn’t get what we wanted about Palestine and Israel’s occupation in the Democratic platform,” said AMP Media Director Kristin Szremski, who helped write the language on Palestine submitted to the platform writing committees of both political parties. “But the mere fact the issue of Palestine was so hotly debated and that we had a chance to help craft platform language proves the tide has turned in the American political landscape.” 

But we still have a long, long way to go. Israel’s occupation of Palestine and siege on Gaza are still ongoing. Palestinian refugees are still prohibited from returning to their homeland. US foreign policy is still biased toward Israel and US military aid to Israel is set to increase in 2018.

We firmly believe we can overcome these obstacles.