Jewish Americans Call on Senators to Vote NO on Supp. Aid to Israel; Activists Arrested

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2024

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press@ifnotnowmovement.org

Jewish Americans Call on Senators to Vote NO on Supplemental Aid to Israel, Activists in Boston Arrested
Activists urged Senators Markey, Van Hollen, and Warren to oppose $14 billion in unconditional aid to Israel.

Tweet from Boston linked here.
High quality photos and videos available upon request.

BOSTON, MA and BALTIMORE, MD — Dozens of Jewish American activists affiliated with IfNotNow paid visits to Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)’s offices in Boston and Baltimore, respectively. In Boston, activists engaged in a sit-in at Senator Markey's office and called on Senators Markey and Warren to back up their public support of a ceasefire by voting against the unconditional aid package. Several activists who engaged in the sit-in were arrested.

Meanwhile, activists in Baltimore thanked Senator Van Hollen for his work to require recipients of weapons aid to comply with international law — a policy that is reflected in President Biden's national security memorandum released yesterday. IfNotNow Movement continues to call for Senators to vote against the proposed bill, given the blatant human rights violations being carried about by the Israeli military against Palestinians in Gaza.

The activists also renewed their calls for a ceasefire, a hostage exchange, an end to the blockade of Gaza, and a long-term political solution that ensures equality, Justice, and a thriving future for all.

“To be sending, even now, $14 billion in additional weapons funding to Israel is unconscionable,” said IfNotNow national spokesperson Eva Borgwardt, “As Israel continues to massacre Palestinians in its genocidal assault on Gaza, and Netanyahu has ordered the military to forcibly displace over 1 million Palestinians in Rafah, President Biden and Congress should do everything in their power to end Israel’s assault on Gaza and bring the hostages home. We urge all Senators to vote NO on the bill.”

“We appreciate that Senator Markey — and Senator Warren, for that matter — have supported the call for ceasefire,” said IfNotNow Boston activist Dalya Lessem Elnecave, who is participated in the sit-in. “Now, we are demanding that both senators put their money where their mouths are by opposing this blank check and instead fighting for true equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis. A call for a ceasefire or statement of concern about civilian death is meaningless if paired with a vote to send more weapons to the Israeli military as it commits war crimes.”

“We don’t need additional reporting to know that the Israeli government is committing war crimes every day,” said Yani Clayton, a member of IfNotNow Baltimore. “The hostages are still not home, and we know the Israeli government is pursuing maximum destruction over bringing them home to their families. This aid package will only cause more destruction, cost more lives, prevent the hostages from returning home, and push us further from a diplomatic solution, peace, equality, and justice for all.” 

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IfNotNow is a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.