A broad coalition of progressive organizations led by Jewish Voice for Peace Action, along with Palestinian and allied organizations, launched a news conference at the opening of the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Los Angeles, calling on the party to stop sending all weapons to Israel and align its policies with the will of its voters.
Speakers from JVP Action, Health Care 4 US (HC4US), Progressive Democrats of America, the Action Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Action), and the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) Board of Directors called on party leaders to co-sponsor the Ban the Bomb Act, sever ties with AIPAC, and end US involvement in what they described as “Stop Arming Israel” and shared their personal testimonies. “The most dangerous humanitarian crisis of our generation.”
The official death toll for Palestinians in Gaza has now exceeded 69,000 as the Israeli military campaign, backed by billions of dollars in weapons, continues with no end in sight. Despite overwhelming public pressure and landmark legislation before Congress to ban more American weapons, the Democratic Party leadership has refused to reflect the wishes of its voters.
Coalition members also called on the Democratic Party to sever all ties with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), citing AIPAC’s record of opposing core democratic values, flooding Democratic primaries with right-wing money, and targeting progressives who speak up for Palestinian rights. They stated that AIPAC’s influence has undermined peace and justice, supported unconditional military aid, and worked against priorities supported by Democratic voters. The coalition called on party leaders to stop accepting AIPAC funds and support, and to reject all forms of political influence that perpetuate the occupation and apartheid.
Beyond ending US support for the Israeli government’s offensive on Gaza, coalition members called for a redirection of national resources away from war and militarism and towards pressing domestic needs, including health care, education, housing and climate solutions.
“The polls are clear: the American public is demanding decisive action to end U.S. complicity in the Israeli government’s war crimes by halting the flow of weapons to Israel, and the Democratic Party’s refusal to heed this call will continue at its own peril,” said Estee Chandler of the JVPA.
“As Democratic leaders debate the party’s priorities over the next three days, they should start by joining us in asking Democratic members of Congress to co-sponsor the Ban the Bomb Act — critical legislation with 58 co-sponsors already — which would prevent the worst offensive weapons from being sent to Israel, including U.S.-supplied bombs, tank shells, and artillery that have been involved in the mass killing of Palestinian civilians and in the most egregious violations of international law in Gaza.”
Coalition speakers also warned that if Democratic leaders fail to meet this moment and continue to ignore the demands of their base or adhere to policies that reflect far-right priorities, they risk fueling a vision of America rooted in tyranny, racism, and endless war, rather than justice, accountability, and true investment in people.
According to a November 2025 Data for Progress poll, 68% of Democratic voters support a ceasefire and stronger conditions on US military aid to Israel. The Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting represents a pivotal moment for the party to decide: Will it respond to its grassroots base and chart a new course for justice, or continue to ignore the majority of its voters?
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