CHICAGO -- Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who was the first Muslim elected to Congress, hinted in an interview with
that he might directly address protestors criticizing the Biden administration on the Israel-Hamas war and the situation in Gaza when he speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.

Ellison participated in a panel discussion about Palestinian human rights on Monday at the convention as the party faces continued demonstrations and dissent -- particularly from Muslim and Arab American communities -- over the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict . The panel was not part of the main evening session, but was endorsed by the DNC.

When asked Wednesday about his message towards those protesting, Ellison told
in a brief interview that he sees the Democratic Party as open to debate to solve pressing issues.

“One distinction between us and the Republicans is that if you have a perspective, you can voice it. We're not afraid of a discussion and we're striving to resolve the most pressing issues facing the United States and the world,” Ellison said, bringing up both the more than 1,200 Israelis killed during Hamas' surprise terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and the Palestinians killed in Gaza during the conflict , as well as those displaced and food insecurity in Gaza. The death toll in Gaza surpassed 40,000 last week, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

When
asked if he plans on referencing that in his speech or addressing the protesters directly, he said, “There's a good chance of it. We'll have to wait and see.”

When asked if he is aware of any discussions about having a Palestinian or Palestinian American speak at the DNC, Ellison responded, “I'm aware that it's been discussed. I don't know the final decision. But I mean, why not include all American voices? We all live here. We all love this country. Let's hear from everyone.”

Regarding what Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz should do to reach out to those protesting, Ellison stated that both have expressed support for working towards a ceasefire in Gaza and that the Biden administration is actively working on the terms of a ceasefire.

“I don't perceive a lot of disagreement. I believe we all desire an end to the violence and for civilians to have safety and security, and for Gaza to be rebuilt," he remarked. "I think there's a general consensus on that.”

Ellison also expressed admiration for Walz, the governor of his state, describing him as “a good, decent, and genuine person."

"If I had to choose one word to capture his essence, I would say 'relatable.'”

Ellison served as the representative for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District from 2007 to 2019 and was a co-leader of the House Progressive Caucus. He was elected as the state's attorney general in 2018, becoming the first African American to hold a statewide office in Minnesota.