Where is the World?

• When I talk with “movement people” who are in the movement for Palestine liberation for the long haul, they are exceptionally clear-eyed about the challenges we face. The multi-billion-dollar media ecosystem that is heavily influenced by Zionism. The political class in Congress largely bought and paid for by the Israel Lobby. Now, the Trump administration aggressively coming after student activists threatening deportation, and threatening to defund universities unless they do the bidding of a fascist government. In addition, as the article below indicates, activists now have to contend with extremist Zionist groups with pepper spray. But activists, both young and old, are also very clear about the profound positive shifts occurring in the “court of public opinion.” They point out that the powers would not be going to such lengths to silence our movement if they didn’t fear our movement. And they fear our movement because it is growing and influential and we are winning the argument about what Israel is and what Israel is doing. Some even claim that we have already decisively won that argument. Several recent polls show that majorities of the American public now have greater sympathy for the Palestinian cause than the cause of Israel. A result like this ten years ago was inconceivable. Strong majorities favor a ceasefire and favor an arms embargo. A recent poll showed Israel is among the most hated countries in the world. Large swaths of the public strongly disapprove of Israel’s killing of innocent civilians, especially women and children, destruction of hospitals, and systematic starvation. When my resolve sometimes falters and my mood dips in the face of all the challenges, I find it is critically important to hold onto the bigger picture. Our movement is powerful. We are standing on the right side of history, and justice will prevail. The opponents of Palestinian liberation want us to burn out, to be afraid, to dissolve into infighting, to lose hope. How they misunderstand our movement and underestimate us!

• That said, I want to lift up a heartbreaking question that emerges every day from Gaza. This time it was Israel killing at least 95 Palestinians at the popular al-Baqa Café and at militarized “aid points.” A bloodied, exhausted survivor was yelling desperately at the camera, “Where is the world?” The question hangs in the air for an excruciating moment. Palestinians feel betrayed and abandoned by the world community. Many are disgusted by the so-called enlightened Western countries with their fine democratic values. Israel is waging a mass murder campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and yet the policies of these countries – the United States, the UK, France, Germany – remain steadfastly committed to supporting Israel militarily and diplomatically. From a Palestinian perspective, this constitutes a complete moral and political failure, a monstrous betrayal of humanity.

• Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories published a report this week that lists 48 global corporations that are actively assisting Israel in committing genocide. She calls it an “economy of genocide.” I urge everyone to read this Al Jazeera explainer. The report sheds important light on why the genocide grinds on, and nothing seems able to stop it. Albanese’s report lists 48 global corporations provide products and services across multiple sectors – military weaponry, technology, energy, settlement expansion, agriculture, and finance. They are household names from the US and Western Europe, such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Palantir, Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Caterpillar, Booking.com, Airbnb, Volvo, BP, and Chevron, but also companies from South Korea, Japan, China and Mexico. Here are a few key quotes: “Companies are no longer merely implicated in occupation.” They are “embedded in an economy of genocide”…Several entities listed on the exchange market – particularly in the arms, tech and infrastructure sectors – “have seen their profits rise since October 2023. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange also rose an unprecedented 179%, adding $157.9 billion in market value.” It’s a deeply disturbing report. Significantly, it provides an answer to the agonizing question, “Where is the world?” Answer: Cashing in on the Gaza genocide. After reading this report, I understand more clearly why the massacres continue day after day without end. As Albanese said, ”The report’s findings illustrate why Israel’s genocide continues…because it is lucrative for many.” The depraved reality: a ceasefire means the war-profiteering stops, and powerful forces are determined to maintain the profit-rich environment.

• Given this economic reality, we must prioritize the movement for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) It is a highly effective tool for nonviolent social change. Targeted campaigns on corporations that are entangled in occupation and genocide and that profit from the oppression and suffering of the Palestinian people can be powerful ways to educate people about what is happening as well as to provide a concrete way to create change. We know from the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa during the 70s and 80s that BDS works. We also saw the civil rights movement use organized boycotts such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott create significant victories on the path toward desegregation and equal rights. Boycotting these companies that are complicit in Israel’s war crimes and atrocities in Gaza is essential. Please note the Maersk victory in the article below.

• The other major organized effort to throw sand in the gears of the genocide machine is to work the “policy angle.” While Congress is largely still controlled by the Israel Lobby in regard to policy on Israel and Palestine, non-governmental groups like CUFI (Christians United for Israel), the largest Christian Zionist organization in the country have strongly promoted Israeli genocide in Gaza and vociferously defended Israel. This week, 100+ faith leaders and activists shut down Dirksen and Raburn Cafeterias on Capital Hill in protest of the far-right hate group “Christians United for Israel” and its role in promoting the forced starvation in Gaza. While CUFI lobbyists push for more bombing in Gaza and Iran, members of Jewish Voice for Peace, Rabbis for Ceasefire, Christians for a Free Palestine, Mennonite Action, and Buddhist Peace Fellowship sang and prayed and chanted, “No God Bombs Children” and “No one Eats Unless Gaza Eats,” “CUFI Kills”, and “Send Food, not Bombs.” Please note also the impressive arms embargo resolution passed by the NC Democratic Party featured below.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as along as ever you can,” John Wesley, founder of Methodism

Featured Legislation

Press release by Ryan Wang

June 28, 2025

NC Democratic Party Adopts Arms Embargo Resolution

ASHEVILLE, NC — In a historic move, the North Carolina Democratic Party (NCDP) State Executive Committee (SEC) voted today to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate arms embargo on Israel, paving the way for it to become part of the Party’s platform. The embargo includes a halt to weapons, ammunition, and logistical support until Israel ends its policies of apartheid and systemic violence against Palestinians.

The resolution had already been approved by precincts, counties, and congressional districts across the state and received a strong positive recommendation from the Resolutions and Platform Committee. Its passage likely makes NCDP the first Democratic state party in the nation to formally oppose U.S. military support to Israel amid credible allegations of genocide in Gaza.

“This resolution is the foundation of a movement within the Party. We’re building something durable, rooted in compassion for all people and a refusal to be silent in the face of injustice,” said Reem Subei, Chair of the Arab Caucus and Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus. “We aspire toward a future where taxpayer dollars are invested in the needs of our own communities: healthcare, education, infrastructure, and safety here in North Carolina.”

“The bottom line is that starving people are being executed while trying to access feeding stations, and our tax dollars are paying for that. This resolution includes a common-sense solution that reflects our values as Democrats. Until Israel starts complying with international law with respect to human rights, we should not be supporting their efforts,” said Kevyn Creech, Wake Dems Chair Emerita and SEC Member.

“Palestinian women are giving birth in tents, often without anesthesia, while children are buried beneath the rubble. Israel’s blockade of medical supplies and aid to these mothers and children is against my Jewish values. Passing this resolution is a moral line in the sand to be able to say Not In My Name,” said Leslie Carey, Chair of the Jewish Democrats of the NCDP.

The African-American, Arab, Interfaith, Jewish Democrats of NCDP, LGBTQ+, Muslim, and Progressive caucuses endorsed the resolution. Supporters describe it as a call for political courage - and a critical opportunity for Democrats to rebuild trust with disillusioned voters. They described plans to hold their members of Congress accountable to the will of the SEC.

Full resolution below:

Int.001 - Resolution for an Embargo on Military Aid and Weapons Transfers to Israel

WHEREAS, Israel is declared by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, B’Tselem and other human rights organizations of committing apartheid against Palestinians; and

WHEREAS, The International Court of Justice at the Hague has ruled in January 2024 that there is credible evidence that the state of Israel may be committing the crime of genocide in Gaza (1); and

WHEREAS, United States adopted the “Genocide Convention Implementation Act of 1987” which “amends the Federal criminal code to establish the criminal offense of genocide”(2); and

WHEREAS, The military resources that have been made available to Israel through annual and emergency military aid have been used to commit the crime of genocide and other war crimes in Gaza; and

WHEREAS, This could make United States military and government officials at risk of prosecution under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide - Article III Section (e) “complicity to genocide” (3); and

WHEREAS, Israel has used the excuse of “self defense” to target hospitals, schools, homes, refugee camps, mosques, churches, journalists and humanitarian aid workers with US supplied weapons; and

WHEREAS, Recent Gallup polling shows that Democratic voters overwhelmingly sympathize with the Palestinian people at 59% support(4); and

WHEREAS, Polling shows that Democratic Party support of Israel’s assault on Gaza was the primary reason at 29%, a plurality, given by 2020 Biden voters who decided to not vote in 2024(5); and

WHEREAS, Polling by Data for Progress in October 2024 showed that 62% of young Democrats support an arms embargo(6); and

WHEREAS, The billions in annual tax payer funds provided to Israel as military aid would be better used to address the needs of Americans in the United States; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Democratic Party supports an immediate embargo on all military aid, weapons shipments and military logistical support to Israel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the embargo on military aid, weapons shipments and logistical support continue until Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and B’tselem certify that Israel is no longer engaged in apartheid rule.

Submitted by the North Carolina 2nd and 6th Congressional District Democratic Parties.

1. https://icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf

2. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/100/s1851/summary

3. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-prevention-and-punishment-crime-gen ocide

4. https://news.gallup.com/poll/657404/less-half-sympathetic-toward-israelis.aspx

5. https://www.imeupolicyproject.org/postelection-polling

6. https://www.filesforprogress.org/reports/dfp_young_voters_report.pdf