CHICAGO − Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California and an advisor to Kamala Harris, has expressed disappointment that the Democratic National Convention did not feature a speech from a Palestinian American this week.

”It could have been a small yet significant gesture,” he stated in a discussion with YSL News.

The absence of a Palestinian voice during the convention sparked controversy, which was unusual amid a week filled with themes of joy and unity. Following remarks from the family of an Israeli hostage, advocates for ending the Gaza conflict voiced their frustration that the Palestinian perspective was overlooked.

This week, the Democrats rejected requests for speakers from the uncommitted movement, which led to a sit-in demonstration on Wednesday as activists sought to persuade party officials to allow a representative to speak.

Khanna mentioned a speech that one of the suggested speakers, Palestinian American Rep. Ruwa Romman from Georgia, hoped to present, which was published Thursday by Mother Jones. Khanna described this speech as “innocuous,” adding that it contained “nothing controversial.”

“It would have been a demonstration that the Palestinian American community, along with the Muslim American and Arab American communities, were acknowledged,” he told YSL News. “This was therefore a missed chance.”

Khanna expressed that the campaign will have “other chances” to make these communities feel represented and anticipates Harris will present her views on the Israel-Hamas conflict and a ceasefire agreement soon.

“I want to see a new beginning and a new approach,” Khanna stated when asked about what he hopes to hear from Harris. “This should include at least enforcing international laws so that aid isn’t used in violation of human rights. Additionally, I want to know how she plans to achieve the ceasefire she has advocated for, along with the release of hostages.”

However, this criticism arises during a particularly sensitive period for the Harris-Walz campaign concerning its relations with Muslim Americans and pro-Palestinian organizations.

The group Muslim Women for Harris-Walz announced it is disbanding following the campaign’s refusal to accommodate a request from the uncommitted movement to allow a Palestinian American speaker at the convention.

“We cannot in good conscience continue with Muslim Women for Harris-Walz after learning that VP Harris’ team denied the request for a Palestinian American speaker to take the stage at the DNC,” the organization stated after Wednesday night’s program.

The uncommitted movement has been advocating for Democratic leaders to impose an arms embargo on Israel and work towards a lasting ceasefire in Gaza for months. Formed during the Democratic primaries earlier this year, the movement encouraged progressives to vote as “uncommitted” to withhold support from then-Democratic candidate President Joe Biden.

U.S. Representatives Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan, who have long supported the uncommitted movement, also criticized the Harris campaign’s decision.

YSL News’s Karissa Waddick and Todd Spangler contributed to this report.