Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

Contents of this page:
o News
o Apartheid Free Vermont
o Recommended Reading/Viewing: Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism and “After October 7th, 2023”
o Teach-In on Palestine – February 3, 2024
o Next Step – Get involved! Sign up to the coalition mailing list and Newsletter and Join the VTJP listserv:
o VTJP is in the VT Coalition for Palestinian Liberation
o Burlington City Council does not pass resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza.
o Support Three Young Palestinian Men Shot in Burlington, Vermont
o Three young Palestinian men shot in Burlington
o Update: Some progress.
o GAZA
o Vermont Demonstrations and Rallies in support of the people of Gaza
o Will Miller Social Justice Lecture: “Palestine Women & Children & the Politics of Appeal” 10/26/23
o And More…

Upcoming Events

Vermont Palestine Conference:
The Struggle for Land and Liberation
Old North End Community Center
20 Allen St, Burlington, VT
October 19, 2024, 10am to 7pm

Register at this link for our state-wide educational and activist conference about the struggle to free Palestine. It is free and open to the public, but we encourage those who can to donate $10 to defray costs. To protect the health of all attending, masks will be required. We will provide onsite childcare during the opening and closing plenaries. The ONE Center’s building and parking lot is ADA accessible. Thanks to the People’s Kitchen, the conference will provide a Halal lunch including vegan options for all attending. We encourage everyone who can to donate to the People’s Kitchen to support their work.

Schedule
9am Registration Opens
10am – 11:30 Palestine

12pm – 1 Lunch Break

1pm – 2:30pm Workshop Block 1
Palestine 101: Colonization & Resistance
Dismantling the Colonial Carceral State: Abolitionists for Palestinian Liberation
Land & Food Sovereignty in the Struggle for Liberation
Organizing Apartheid Free Communities, Ballot Measures, & the Fight for BDS
Defending our Civil Rights & Resisting the New McCarthyism

3pm – 4:30pm Workshop Block 2
An Injury to One is an Injury to All: Labor for Palestine
Skilling up for Hard Conversations: An Interactive Workshop
No Pride in Genocide: Fighting for Queer & Palestinian Liberation
Migrant Justice Knows No Borders: From Palestine to Mexico Border Walls Have Got to Go
We Will Not Stop, We Will Not Rest: The Fight for Divestment on Campus

5pm – 6pm: Building the Struggle for Palestinian Liberation

6pm – 7pm Social

Sponsored by the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation
Volunteer to Staff Vermont Palestine Conference
We need everyone who can to volunteer to organize and staff our conference on Saturday, Oct 19th in Burlington. Please fill out this form. Indicate which areas you would be interested in helping with and a member of the coalition will follow-up with more details. There are many ways to contribute even if you aren’t sure you will be able to attend in-person on the 19th – please fill out the form even if you can’t confirm your ability to attend yet!

Palestinian, Exiled to Lebanon: Interview with Wafic Faour

Palestinian refugee and activist Wafic Faour talks about what it means to be treated as an Other, the Palestinian liberation movement, and why social justice movements are all connected.
This interview records very important living/oral history. A lot to learn here – we may know parts of the story but the interview has much more and all in one place, and includes Wafic’s personal story and that of his family – that is really valuable. Read and tell others about it!
Wafic is interviewed by Alexis Lathem, a writer and Richmond resident.

UVM Students for Justice in Palestine sues UVM over suspension during spring protests.

Photos: Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

Documents:
The lawsuit as filed in US District Court Septemer 9th 2024.

Media Reports:
Pro-Palestine student group files lawsuit against UVM.
“The lawsuit disputes the University’s decision to place SJP on interim suspension, which it says was done without due process. It also claims that the University’s policies concerning demonstrations allow for “unbridled administrative discretion to restrict free speech.” ” The Vermont Cynic by Noah Diedrich, September 12, 2024
Pro-Palestinian student group sues UVM over suspension during spring protests. The University of Vermont issued an “interim suspension” to the UVM chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine in May. Now, the group is suing over that suspension. VTDigger, by Peter D’Auria, September 10, 2024.
Pro-Palestinian student group sues UVM over suspension. Here’s what they’re saying. Burlington Free Press, by Megan Stewart, Sept. 12th, 2024.
Video: VICII: Public Forum: The Case of UVM vs Suspended Pro-Palestinian Students – Is Free Speech On Trial?

Donate to support legal expense etc.:
Support UVM SJP’s Legal Case Against University of Vermont
Donate Here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/defend-student-rights-at-uvm
or:
Checks payable to “Trust account of John Franco, Esq.” Mail to John Franco, 110 Main Street, Burlington, VT. 05401.

Pride Parade, Burlington, Sept 8th 2024
“No Pride for Some of Us Without Liberation for All of Us”

See Pride Parade 2024

Media Reports:
Burlington Pride Parade goes off without a hitch WCAX, by Hailey Morgan, Sep. 8, 2024.
No Rain on This Parade: Cross-Movement Solidarity Was Center Stage at Burlington Pride September 12, 2024. The Rake Vermont, by Patrick St. John, September 12, 2024.
For Queer, Palestinian, & Collective Liberation: Statement in Support of The Pride Center of Vermont September 11, 2024 The Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation.
Pride Center of Vermont Is Roiled by Allegations of AntisemitismThe schism stems from a statement the organization’s staff released about the war in Gaza. The dispute could flare up again at Burlington’s Pride Parade. Seven Days, by Sasha Goldstein, updated September 10, 2024. (But it didn’t. The Coalition for Palestinian Liberation led the Parade, with enthusiastic support.)

Link to previous Demonstrations and Rallies in support of the people of Gaza

April 28th 2024 – VTJP Applauds Bravery of Student Encampments at Middlebury College and the University of Vermont.

Photo by Katie Futterman | The Middlebury Campus

VTJP stands in solidarity with the students of Middlebury College and the University of Vermont as they protest Israel’s war in Gaza by setting up encampments on their respective campuses. As the nation watches the violent suppression of student activism by college administrations in collaboration with local police, we commend the courage and leadership of Vermont’s students.

We call on the college administrations in Vermont to allow their students to exercise their right to free speech and we echo their demands for Vermont universities to divest from Israel. We applaud Middlebury College’s response in support of their students, and expect UVM’s campus security to assure free passage of people and essential supplies in and out of the encampment area.

Late last year, the former head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Tamir Pardo, told the Associated Press that Israel is an apartheid state (effectively agreeing with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Israeli human rights group B’Tselem). Vermont students leading these protests recognize that the ethnic cleansing and genocide currently happening in Gaza is the next phase of Palestinian displacement, discrimination, oppression. Further, they understand that these crimes against humanity are being funded by our tax dollars, through our investments, and with our weapons.
Vermont should aim to be Apartheid Free. Part of a national movement initiated by the American Friends Service Committee.

Media Reports:
o “Pro-Palestinian protest encampments spring up at the University of Vermont, Middlebury College.”
Roughly six months into Israel’s invasion of Gaza, many American universities have erupted in protest.
VTDigger – April 28, 2024, by Peter D’Auria and Sophia Keshmiri.
o “UVM Students Build Solidarity Encampment for Palestine” Rakevt.org, by Matt Moore, April 29, 2024.
o “As UVM pro-Palestinian encampment enters 2nd day, protesters call for action at commencement” VTDigger by Peter D’Auria, April 29, 2024.
o “Student protesters demand UVM, Middlebury College cut ties with Israel” WCAX TV By Calvin Cutler, Apr. 29, 2024
o “UVM students call for new commencement speaker as pro-Palestine protests continue at VT colleges”. NBC 5 April 29th 2024, by Sid Bewlay.
o As UVM starts disciplinary process for protesters, some lawmakers call for amnesty Pro-Palestinian student protesters held a rally Monday afternoon demanding that the university grant them amnesty. VTDigger, by Corey McDonald May 6, 2024.

Images of encampment and rally at UVM – April 29th 2024

Encampments at Middlebury and UVM closing down:

o Students take down pro-Palestinian encampment at UVM. Roughly a week and a half after the creation of the encampment,the UVM group Students for Justice in Palestine said that “the time has now come to pivot our energy.” VTDigger, by Peter D’Auria May 8, 2024,
o After reaching agreement with Middlebury College, student protesters take down encampment. VT Digger, by Sophia Keshmiri May 6, 2024.

Apartheid Free Communities

Apartheid Free Burlington Petition Denied by Burlington City Council

The vote was 7 – 5 against.

Undeterred – Next time March 2025
Trifold leaflet here
Download petition form here: .pdf or .docx (Signatures of Burlington registered voters only;
to return form)

o Burlington City Council’s Attempt to Manipulate Public Debate Statement by Vermonters for Justice in Palestine and ApartheidFreeBurlington.org January 21, 2024.
o After hours of testimony, Burlington council scraps ballot measure supporting Palestinians, opposing Israel The city council voted 7-5 against the initiative, which would have appeared on the ballot on Town Meeting Day. VT Digger, by Auditi Guha, January 23, 2024
o In Rare Move, Burlington City Council Blocks Voter-Initiated Israeli Apartheid Ballot Question The Rake Vermont, January 23, 2024, by Matt Moore.
Burlington City Council Rejects Pro-Palestine Ballot Item Seven Days, By Courtney Lamdin, January 23, 2024.
o Burlington residents share thoughts on potential pro-Palestine ballot advisory question WCAX TV, By Lucy Caile, Jan. 22, 2024.

Apartheid Free Burlington Petition

Over 1600 Registered voters in the City of Burlington (more than the 5% required by Council policy) signed a petition to create Burliington as an Apartheid Free Community!

details here

The right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.
– Basic Law passed by Israel’s Knesset in 2018.

Does this look familiar?

Remember Apartheid? (South Africa, 1990)

It’s Back! (Two-State ‘Solution’)

Resources about Israeli Apartheid

– Amnesty International about the Crime of Apartheid
– Amnesty international Youtube Video “Is This Apartheid?”
– B’Tselem. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories. This is Apartheid
– A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution Human Rights Watch, April 27, 2021

Apartheid Free Campaign

– Human Rights Watch report (January 2016)

– Israeli Apartheid Week: Israeli Apartheid Week
– Article in Consortium News: Israel Cannot Rebut Apartheid Vijay Prashad, in Consortium News, June 30, 2023.
– May 2009. Middle East Project of the Democracy and Governance Programme, Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa: Occupation, Colonialism, Apartheid? A re-assessment of Israel’s practices in the occupied Palestinian territories under international law.
o Executive Summary (16 pages): here
o Full Report (302 pages): here
– The Episcopal Church in Vermont Resolution Regarding Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Lands and Israel’s Apartheid Policies toward Palestinian People

Nelson Mandela: I have been to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and I have witnessed the racially segregated roads and housing that reminded me so much of the conditions we experienced in South Africa under the racist system of Apartheid

From American Friends Service Committee

Israeli Violations Tracker: A selection of incidents relevant to U.S. law and policy that relate to arms transfers, international law, and civilian protection.

Divesting for Palestinian Rights including a “Divest list” that includes publicly traded companies that consistently, knowingly, and directly facilitate and enable human rights violations and violations of international law as part of Israel’s prolonged military occupations, apartheid, and genocide.

VCPL Education Group – May 2024 Discussion:
Angela Davis “Freedom is a Constant Struggle”

PDF here

VCPL Palestine Education Series
– From the River to the Sea.
Available for free download from Haymarket Books

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield addressing the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. (news.un.org)

Protesting UVM’s invitation of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Commencement Speaker

Anti-Genocide Students and Faculty maintain that invitation is insulting to their values. While representing the U.S., she vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza three times.

-> May 3rd 2024: UVM Commencement speaker cancelled.
Here is the Statement by UVM President Suresh Garimella.
Note that Gaza is mentioned only once, in the context of ‘current unrest in the region’.
Some excerpts:
First, I want our students to know that I see and hear you. I see you mourn for lives lost in Israel and Gaza. I hear your calls for peace and a just end to the current unrest in the region. I hear your frustration with foreign policy decisions.

Second, I want to share my perspective on the demonstration at Andrew Harris Commons. My colleagues in university leadership … should … help student demonstrators understand the safety risks … and offer practical solutions for planning a safe and effective demonstration. I note that the demonstration has been continuously in violation of university policies. Therefore, regrettably, appropriate student conduct processes have been initiated for those who have persistently violated university policy. UVM will not tolerate acts or threats of violence nor targeted harassment of others. There is no room at UVM for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any discrimination based on race, national origin or ancestry.

Third, we are looking forward to the upcoming Commencement ceremonies … It is with regret that I share that our planned speaker, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, will not be joining us to deliver the Commencement address.

Media Reports:
o ‘A huge slap in the face’: Pro-Palestine UVM students protest commencement speaker Burlington Free Press, April 30, 2024. By Megan Stewart.
o UVM commencement speaker out as pro-Palestinian protest continues VTDigger, by Peter D’Auria May 3, 2024.
o UVM cancels commencement speaker amid protests May 3, 2024. MyChamplainValley News. (includes statement by UVM President Suresh Garimella).
o UVM cancels commencement speaker as campus tensions ramp up WCAX TV. By Katharine Huntley.May. 3, 2024.
o And in Louisiana: Louisiana university cancels graduation address by UN ambassador over Gaza. Linda Thomas-Greenfield will no longer speak at Xavier University of Louisiana after students angered by US ceasefire vetoes at UN. The Guardian, from Associated Press, Thu 9 May 2024

Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation

Teach-In on Palestine – February 3, 2024, Burlington, 2-6 p.m.

Sponsored by the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation

A workshop on:
– settler colonialism and Israeli occupation,
– apartheid in Palestine
– and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS).

Included discussion about the Apartheid Free Community campaign in Burlington, not allowed for the March 5th ballot because of the City Council’s Democratic Party majority’s anti-democratic refusal to place it on the ballot.

Schedule included:
o Settler Colonialism and Occupation: History of Zionist and Israeli Colonization of Palestine.
o Apartheid: What is Israeli Apartheid? What are the Consequences for Palestinians?
o Panel Discussion of Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS): What are the Origin and Goals of the International BDS movement? Learn about next steps for organizing, including the Apartheid Free Community campaign.

Learn More…read and view these short background articles and videos https://vtjp.org/TeachInResources.html and a longer list here

VTJP is in the VT Coalition for Palestinian Liberation (Instagram link here)

Ceasefire now
Stop Israel’s genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians
Provide unrestricted humanitarian aid to all Palestinians
Free all Palestinian prisoners and hostages
Defend the civil rights of Palestinians and Palestine solidarity activists
Stop all U.S. aid to Israel
Enforce boycott, divestment, and sanctions against Israel
End Israel’s siege, occupation, and apartheid system
Support Palestinians’ right to self-determination, right to return, and equal rights

To join, email VTCPLInquiries@proton.me

Endorsing Organizations:

• Central Vermont Democratic Socialists of America

• Champlain Valley Democratic Socialists of America

• Cooperation Vermont

• Jewish Voice for Peace Vermont/New Hampshire

• Lost River Racial Justice

• Party for Socialism and Liberation Vermont

• Southern Vermont for Palestine

• Tempest Collective

• Upper Valley for Palestine

• UVM Students for Justice in Palestine

• Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

• Vermont Law and Graduate School National Lawyers Guild Chapter

• Vermont Peace/Antiwar Coalition

Many groups coming together with shared reasons to fight for justice.

*The watermellon has been a symbol of Palestinian resistance for decades, often used as a stand-in for the somtimes banned Palestinian flag. When cut open, the colors are red, white, black and green (same as the flag).

Burlington Ceasefire Resolution

Monday Dec. 11th, 2023
Rejected by Burlington City Council and Mayor Weinberger

Burlington City Council does not pass resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza. “Over 200 people gathered in the Burlington City Hall, holding signs and chanting in favor of a resolution to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The 6-6 tie vote on the matter means that City councilors did not pass the resolution, which lead to an uproar from pro-Palestine community members. By WCAX News Team, Published: Dec. 11, 2023”

“Burlington City Council rejects Israel-Hamas War cease-fire resolution In a 6-6 vote, the council rejected a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War and expressing support for victims of the Nov. 25 shooting in Burlington. The council later considered a revised version of the resolution that removed the ceasefire language and focused primarily on condemning the shooting. That measure also failed by a vote of 6-6.”
VT Digger, by Patrick Crowley. December 12, 2023.

Calls for Gaza Cease-Fire Derail Burlington Council’s Attempt to Condemn Shootings VT Digger, by Courtney Lamdin, December 12, 2023.

Wafic Faour and Ashley Smith on Burlington’s Ceasefire Resolution ABC Café Episode 25, December 15, 2023, by Anthony Apodaca.
This Podcast gives substantial insight and background into the circumstances of the City Council vote, and the reasons why opponents were able to prevent it from passing. The idea that passing the Resolution (both for a ceasefire and about shooting of three young men) would be divisive is a sign of desperation and it is contradicts public opinion statistics. Also, reasons for hope emerge – there is a rapidly increasing level of understanding of the Israel policies and actions against Palestinian people. A forthcoming ballot initiative in Burlington is expected to demonstrate that.

Burlington City Council Fails to Pass Ceasefire Resolution Despite Overwhelming Show of Resident Support. The Rake Vermont, December 12, 2023 by Alison Adams

Burlington City Council fails to meet the moment on Palestine. With a letter directed to the Mayor and City Councilors for Burlington by the Coordinating Committee of the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation. Tempest Mag, December 26, 2023, by Alison Adams.

Burlington Mayor And Allies Back Israel’s Genocidal War The Rake Vermont, January 10, 2024 by Ashley Smith.

Click here to
Support Three Young Palestinian Men Shot in Burlington, Vermont

Fundraiser by Launchgood.com
Official link that had been okayed and approved by the victims’ families.

Three young Palestinian men shot in Burlington

o US shooting of Palestinian students sparks climate of fear. Communities are on edge after a number of violent attacks against Arab Americans and supporters of Palestine.
Podcast, The Take. December 4th, 2012. With Abed A Ayoub, National Executive Director, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; Wafic Faour, Member, Vermonters for Justice in Palestine; Beshara Doumani, Professor of Palestinian Studies, Brown University.
o Resumed Bombing of Gaza Will Be Crushing to Palestinian Students Shot in Vermont, Says Victim’s Mother. Democracy Now! December 01, 2023
o “Atmosphere of Hate”: AFSC Leader & Palestinian Vermonter on Shooting of 3 College Students Democracy Now – November 28, 2023. With Guests Wafic Faour (Palestinian refugee from Lebanon and a member of Vermonters for Justice in Palestine, and Joyce Ajlouny (former director of the Ramallah Friends School and now the general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee.)
o Vermont for Justice in Palestine holds vigil for 3 shot in Burlington WCAX TV. by Calvin Cutler. Nov. 27, 2023.
o Vermont Conversation: ‘This hideous crime did not happen in a vacuum’ After three Palestinian American students were shot in Burlington, the uncle of one of the victims discusses the challenges facing Palestinians — here and abroad. VT Digger – by David Goodman November 29, 2023.
o PERSPECTIVES: Palestinians will not be safe anywhere until we have justice everywhere I call my family members in Palestine every single day to make sure they are safe. When three Palestinian college students were shot just 15 miles from my home, I started receiving calls from them. They wanted to know: Was I safe in Vermont? By Wafic Faour as told to Reckon. November 29, 2023.
o Palestinian Shooting Victim Says Violence He Faced Is “Part of a Larger Story” “This hideous crime did not happen in a vacuum,” said 20-year-old Hisham Awartani. Truthout,by Chris Walker, November 29, 2023.

Court appearance on March 8th, 2024 of man accused of shooting three Palestinian students in Burlington.

Although it was a short hearing for 48-year-old Jason Eaton, there was a massive show of community support inside the courthouse for the three victims.
Dozens of people wore Keffiyehs to stand in solidarity with Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ali Ahmad.

CNN Report

Update: Some progress.
In the US Senate, Dec. 14th, Bernie Sanders submitted S_504: Requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Senator Sanders’ December 12, 2023 letter to President Biden: “Therefore, I ask that you withdraw your support for [$10.1 billion in military aid beyond defensive systems] of the funding requested from Congress. Second, I ask that you support efforts at the United Nations to end the bloodshed, such as the recent resolution, vetoed by the United States, that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and full humanitarian access.”
The letter details numerous atrocities that Israel has committed in Gaza: 85 percent of the population displaced and over 18,000 Palestinians dead. It compares Israel’s bombardment to the Allied bombing of Dresden, Germany and the “horrific” firebombing of Japan during World War II, with destruction similar to what Israel has achieved in just two months.

Becca Balint: Cease-fire needed to stop bloodshed in Israel-Hamas conflict.
She wrote (blaming the victims?): Even with Hamas operations intentionally embedded among civilians, Israel cannot bomb targets in densely populated areas. The United States must demand it. VtDigger, November 16, 2023, 12:00 noon

Report: In reversal, Becca Balint calls for a cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war. “What is needed right now is an immediate break in violence to allow for a true negotiated cease-fire,” Vermont’s first-term U.S. representative wrote in a commentary for VTDigger. By Sarah Mearhoff. November 16, 2023, 12:07 pm

Senator Peter Welch Calls for Indefinite Ceasefire Nov 28, 2023.

“Justice for Palestinians and Security for Israel.” By Bernie Sanders. New York Times, Nov. 22, 2023. Includes: “Let’s be clear: this is not going to happen on its own. Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party was explicitly formed on the premise that “between the Sea and the Jordan [River] there will only be Israeli sovereignty,”

GAZA

Statement by Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

NEVER AGAIN?
GENOCIDE BEFORE OUR EYES

The Palestinian people in Gaza are undergoing a campaign of violence by Israel, denied access to all food, water, electricity and medicine, and suffering unrelieved bombing attacks, including attacks targeted precisely on hospitals, schools, and other “safe zones”, and the routes to them. Israel’s behavior precisely fits the UN definition of genocide: “the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group as such.”

In the first two weeks, Israel had already dropped more bombs on Gaza than the US dropped in Afghanistan in a year, killing thousands, a third of them children. Refugees have no safe haven toward which to flee, or in which to take shelter. We are watching the destruction of a people, a campaign to liquidate any form of resistance so that Israel may extend its apartheid regime “from the River to the Sea”.

We, citizens of Vermont, with our state motto, “Freedom and Unity”, must be in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, and throughout historic Palestine.

We demand that our government
— pressure Israel for an immediate ceasefire
— immediately stop all funding to Israel, an act which will slow the Israeli military attack on Gaza
— and force Israel to allow the delivery of immediate humanitarian aid.

Beyond that, we demand our government require the end of Israeli colonization & apartheid as a condition for any further financial aid or political backing in international organizations such as the UN.

IN SOLIDARITY FOR PALESTINIAN FREEDOM!

Please call/write you representative immediately to take action.

Senator Bernie Sanders
1 Church St.,3rd Floor,
Burlington, VT 05401
Burlington: 802-862-0697
DC: (202) 224-5141
Fax: 202-228-0776
Sanders Voted for this Resolution Against SJP organizations

Senator Peter Welch
124 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-4242; 888-605-7270
Fax: 202-228-7575 (Toll Free: 800-642-3193)
Chief of Staff email

Rep. Becca Balint,
159 Bank Street, Suite 204
Burlington, VT 05401
phone: (802) 652-2450
1408 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Tel:(202) 225-4115; Fax: 771-200-5791
email

Here is a collection of Statements about Hamas action and Israeli retaliation posted at “The Struggle Video News” by Stanley Heller.

Statement: The Black Alliance for Peace Condemns the Murderous Assault on Occupied Palestine.

Pride Center of Vermont calls for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine
“No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All of Us ”

No Pride in Genocide

Vermont Demonstrations and Rallies in support of the people of Gaza

Not Canceled! Just banned by UVM
YouTube Recording Here (Program starts at about minute 12)

Will Miller Social Justice Lecture:
“Palestine Women & Children & the Politics of Appeal”
10/26/23, 7pm (Eastern)

Major thanks for last-minute help by Haymarket Books and CCTV.

Urgent! On the weekend before the event, the lecture series received an unsigned message from the UVM Division of Safety and Compliance saying that “the event will not be held on UVM’s campus” on the grounds of safety.

This is the statement by the Will Miller Lecture Series.
Letter writing campaign here
Digger article here
About Bernie: From Mohammed El-Kurd

Will Miller Social Justice Lecture Series Mohammed El-Kurd. Palestine, “Women and Children,” and the Politics of Appeal.

7 pm Thursday October 26, Davis Center 417/419 Livak Ballroom

Mohammed El-Kurd is a Palestinian poet, writer, journalist, and organizer from Jerusalem.
In the United States, Palestinians are both demonized and made invisible in mainstream culture and politics. Palestinians who try to counteract these misrepresentations are constrained by impossibly narrow and ethnocentric expectations. This talk explores the limitations of the “politics of appeal” and suggests alternative approaches.
Mohammed El-Kurd is an award-winning poet, writer, journalist, and organizer from Jerusalem, occupied Palestine. He is the Palestine correspondent for The Nation and a Civic Media Fellow at the University of Southern California. He will talk about representation and misrepresentation of Palestinians in the U.S.

Israel, Gaza, and the Struggle for Palestine

Tuesday October 17th at 7pm
Room 218, O.N.E. Community Center, 20 Allen Street, Burlington

Early on Saturday, October 7th, Palestinian resistance fighters broke through Israel’s siege of Gaza. In response, Israel has declared total war against the people of Gaza, completely cutting off access to food, water, and electricity, while bombing the Strip and killing entire families.

This panel, featuring Wafic Faour (Vermonters for Justice in Palestine), Debra Stoleroff (Vermonters for Justice in Palestine and Central Vermont Jews in Solidarity with Palestine), and Nolan Rampy (Tempest Collective), will discuss how to understand the current situation in Palestine, the 17-year siege of Gaza, and questions of resistance, colonialism, the role of Biden and US imperialism, and mass struggle.

Sponsored by Burlington Tempest Collective, Vermonters for Justice in Palestine. List in formation. Please contact the Tempest Collective if you would like to co-sponsor. Or email pflecken@gmail.com

Recording here:

We support the Campaign: Be Bold Bernie

Join us in sending a letter to Bernie today! Ask him to be a bold advocate for Palestinian rights in Congress.

Palestinian struggle becomes mainstream struggle in US capital,
Independence Day Parade in Montpelier, July 3rd 2023

People from all these groups marched together in solidarity, calling for Free Palestine!: Vermonters for Justice in Palestine; Central Vermont Jews for Palestinian Liberation; Party for Socialism and Liberation, Champlain Valley Amnesty Interntational; Education Justice Coalition, Free Her.
As usual, we received a great reception from the huge crowd lining the street.
We counted 35 people in our group – then 36 when a person from the crowd joined us!

Solidarity Vigil for Palestinian Liberation, Montpelier, April 18th 2023
(Holocaust Remembrance Day and Tax Day)

VTJP joined Central Vermont Jews for Palestinian Liberation – Solidarity Vigil for Palestinian Liberation, Montpelier Tuesday, April 18 (Holocaust Remembrance Day and Tax Day)
A vigil to mourn those lost in recent violence, honor the everyday actions of Palestians and allies in resistance, and demand the end the flow of US tax dollars to Israel.

TV News Report here

Allegation: University of Vermont is infested with antisemitism
But apparently not.

Rally at UVM – September 21st, 2022

Rally at UVM – September 21st, 2022

Contents: (Scroll down, or use these links):
The Settlement
The Complaint
What is VTJP’s position?
UVM has done its Part
Related
Reports and Links
Antisemitism – Various Definitions
Anti-Semitism and the Department of Education
Israeli Apartheid

April 2023 – UVM settles with OCR over the Brandeis Complaint

Here’s a report from WCAX:
The text of the “RESOLUTION AGREEMENT”: It mentions antisemitism 9 times in the context of ‘prohibition on discrimination based on national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including antisemitism’. However, I could find no attempt to define antisemitism, as Brandeis had demanded adopting the IHRA definition. No other examples of groups that might experience discrimination or harassment.
President’s Statement
Provost’s Statement
UVM’s web page about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Includes AntiSemitism 101: The Basics & How they Relate to Life at UVM, 1:00pm – 3:00pm UVM Interfaith Center Facilitator: Rabbi David Edleson, D. Div., Rabbi at Temple Sinai in South Burlington and instructor of religion, ethics, and literature at the college level for over twenty years.

The complainers won’t let it go. VT Digger May 17th 2023. UVM faculty, staff seek apology for administration’s handling of federal antisemitism investigation. By Peter D’Auria.

The Complaint

In October 2021, a complaint was presented by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Jewish On Campus to the Department of Education claiming that the University of Vermont (UVM) has violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint is based on documentation of alleged incidents and social messaging on campus. It claims that “Jewish students at the University of Vermont (“UVM”) have been subjected to a campaign of intimidation, harassment and discrimination targeting them on the basis of their Jewish ethnic identity – This has created a hostile environment on campus in which Jewish students are being excluded from clubs and support groups”. The complaint details alleged vandalism of UVM’s Hillel building, online harassment of Jewish students by an unnamed teaching assistant and exclusion of Jewish students supporting Israel from a sexual assault survivors’ group. Further, it is claimed that UVM has not adequately addressed the alleged campaign of intimidation.

The complaint implies that criticism of Israel is antisemitic and asserts that “for many Jewish students at UVM, Zionism is an integral component of their Jewish identity”.

On Sept. 13, 2022, The Vermont Digger reported that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights has opened an investigation into this complaint. On September 15th 2022 UVM’s President Suresh Garimella issued a statement contesting the veracity of the alleged antisemitic occurrences, and defending UVM’s response.

The complaint proposes several “Suggested Remedies” including:
– UVM must adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Anti-Semitism and its contemporary examples
(Note: the examples in the IHRA definition are problematic)
– UVM must issue a statement denouncing anti-Semitism in all its forms and recognizing that Zionism is a key component of Jewish identity for many students at UVM.
– The University must conduct mandatory training for the University community regarding its revised Policy that includes a specific focus on the different manifestation of anti-Semitism including anti-Zionism and national origin-based discrimination.

What is VTJP’s position?

VTJP is concerned that the complaint is part of a larger-scale, bad-faith attempt to weaponize the reality of antisemitism in order to advance a goal of silencing a conversation about justice for Palestinians.

There is a pervasive atmosphere of fear and surveillance surrounding those who speak out for justice for Palestinians. Groups such as Canary Mission seek specifically to target students, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities, as witnessed nationally, at UVM previously and at peer institutions including Middlebury College. McGill University has been sued because 71% of undergraduate students voted for a policy committing the Student Society to actions favorable to Palestinian people. The stakes are already incredibly high for pro-Palestinian activists, and adopting definitions of antisemitism that paint any criticism of Israel and Zionism as antisemitic raises those stakes and risks seriously encroaching on the free speech rights of any individual. These smear campaigns are simply intended to distract from the ongoing suffering of Palestinians.
Speech on UVM campus, read by John Heermans, September 21st 2022 here

UVM has done its part

UVM investigated the complaints and determined either that antisemitism was not part of the reported actions, or acted within its control to resolve the situation. This should be the end of the story. Instead, the complainants are following their strategy: they are attempting to use any allegation of antisemitism to scares universities into adopting a highly-contested and condemned definition of antisemitism that is being used to target Palestinians and their allies–not to keep Jews safe.

Students who speak up and organize for the rights of Palestinian people put themselves at risk of being labeled as antisemitic; meanwhile those who feel intimidated by anti-Zionist sentiment are adequately protected by University policies and procedures and can seek redress.

Pressure is being applied to the Education Justice Coalition of Vermont to identify anti-semitism specifically and to adopt the IHRA definition. The Coalition is advising the State on developing and promoting Ethnic studies, Disability studies, Native American Studies, and LGBTQIA+ curriculum and pedagogy.

Reports and links

– Vermont Digger article (September 13th, 2022)
– Link to the Brandeis complaint (link from the Digger article) October 2021
– UVM President Garimella statement (September 15, 2022)
– UVM Provost Prelock statement “Supporting Jewish students in our community” (September 22, 2022)
– Local advocacy group hosts rally on campus in support of Palestine Vermont Cynic (UVM Student Newspaper). by Andrew Gould, September 26, 2022.
– Vermont Palestinian Activists Push Back Against Antisemitism Allegations at UVM
The Rake Vermont, 23-Spt-2022 by Matt Moore.
– American Jewish Committee Criticizes University of Vermont Response to Antisemitism Complaints September 16, 2022.
– Wikipedia – about revocation of UN Resolution identifying Zionism as racist
– Kenneth Marcus: UVM’s president is making a bad problem worse VTDigger Commentary Sep 25 2022.
– Felicia Kornbluh: On UVM President’s response to charges of antisemitism VTDigger, Commentary Sep 26 2022.
– UVM president rejects antisemitism charges, but university remains target of pro-Israel groups. Pro-Israel groups claim that recent incidents at the University of Vermont constitute antisemitism because for some Jewish students, “Zionism is integral to their Jewish ethnic identity.” Mondoweiss, By Michael Arria, September 30, 2022.
– Jewish sexual assault survivors rejected by NY campus support group, complaint says 2 students request US Department of Education investigation of New York’s university at New Paltz, saying they were discriminated against with the administration’s knowledge. The Times of Israel, By Luke Tress, 18 August 2022.
– Antisemitism Graduates With America’s Students Newsweek, Scott Shay, September 29th 2022.
starts “Anti-Jewish hatred on campus is off to a quick start this academic year. At the University of Michigan, Rutgers University, and American University anti-Jewish hatred manifested itself during the two days of Rosh Hashanah. The assaults ranged from to the distribution of hate packages to pelting Jewish fraternities with eggs to painting swastikas.”
– UVM faculty union: United Academics condemns antisemitism in all its forms VT Digger, commentary from United Academics Union submitted by Eleanor Miller, president of the faculty union. Oct 12 2022.
– Israel lobby fabricates anti-Semitism crisis at Berkeley The Electronic Intifada, by Nora Barrows-Friedman. 16-Oct-2022.
– Jules Older: Slogging through bigotry — an open letter to UVM VT Digger Oct-14-2022.

Antisemitism – Various Definitions

– Intenational Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) ‘Definition’ (pay attention to examples).
– The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and why people are fighting over it, explained. Jewish Telegraphic Agency, by Ben Sales, January 15, 2021.
– The Jerusalem Declaration On Antisemitism
– A Palestinian civil society critique of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism March 25, 2021. Palestinian BDS National Committee.
– The Politics of a Definition: How the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism Is Being Misrepresented Jamie Stern-Weiner, PhD candidate, Wolfson College, University of Oxford.
– U.S. State Dept. Doubles Down on Embrace of IHRA Antisemitism Definition Haaretz, by Ben Samuels, Jun 25, 2021.
– How anti-Semitism smears impact Palestine activists. Nora Barrows-Friedman. The Electronic Intifada Podcast. 13-Oct-2022.
– University of Aberdeen votes against using IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. The National Scot. By Billy Briggs, 9th October 2022.
– American Association of University Professors Legislative Threats to Academic Freedom: Redefinitions of Antisemitism and Racism. PDF Version Here
– Letter to Co-Sponsors of Proposed American Bar Association Resolution 514 on Antisemitism. January 18th 2023.
– Letter from Palestine Legal and Center for Constitutional Rights to Co-Sponsors of Proposed ABA Resolution 514 on Antisemitism , “Re: Opposing Reference to IHRA in Proposed ABA Resolution 514” January 20, 2023
Includes an Appendix: IHRA Definition in Action – Case Examples with 15 cases of harassment of students and professors at US universities.

Anti-Semitism and the Department of Education

– Combating Discrimination Against Jewish Students U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
– Questions and Answers on Executive Order 13899 (Combating Anti-Semitism) United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights – Enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
– “US Dept of Education rebuffs Israel lobby demands” Electronic Intifada. by Nora Barrows-Friedman, 16th January 2023.

Israeli Apartheid

– Amnesty International about the Crime of Apartheid
– This is Apartheid B’Tselem. The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories.
– Israel Cannot Rebut Apartheid Vijay Prashad, in Consortium News, June 30, 2023.

Ben and Jerry’s has been forced by Unilever to back off from their commitment of July 2021
But Ben & Jerry’s and its independent Board have sued Unilever to stop the sale.

Israeli franchise owner Avi Zinger (as American Quality Products) is now the owner – with blessing of Unilever

VTJP Press statement here

(Initial statement from VTJP revised June 30th 2022 to reflect this tweet from @benandjerrys)

Unilever is clearly overrun with the worst kind of Zionist sentiment.
From cnbc.com Zinger said “this is the best thing that I could have dreamed for me and my employees.”
and From Jerusalem Post
“Earlier this month, activist investor Nelson Peltz joined Unilever’s board after his investment firm Trian Fund Management LP bought a 1.5% share in the company. Peltz is a philanthropist and the honorary co-chairman of the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which put Unilever on its top-10 list of worst antisemitism around the world for 2021, after Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell ice cream in settlements.”

Commentary and insights
Interview with former Ben & Jerry’s board chairperson Jeff Furnam – by Alex Kane, Jewish Currents, July 26, 2022
Israel, BDS and the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream wars
Perspective by Richard Silverstein in AlAraby.co.uk 07 Jul, 2022.

Reports about Unilever Statement of June 29th 2022:
Israel’s claim it defeated BDS is hollow Electronic Intifada
Electronic Intifada About General Mills and Pillsbury
From Vermont Digger
From The Forward This is a win for the settlers

It seems that the only real change is that the name/logo ‘Ben & Jerry’s’ will be transliterated into Hebrew and Arabic (so they can export to friendly countries?)

Reports about Ben & Jerry’s suing Unilever:
Reuters
Al Jazeera
Haaretz
Electronic Intifada
Mondoweiss

A Commentary in the Digger by VTJP people here

Anthony Apodaca: Why support boycott and sanctions for Ukraine, but not Palestine?

On Land Day, March 30th 2022,Vermonters for Justice in Palestine hosted a special presentation by Alison Weir
alttext

“The world’s longest occupation: Palestine”

Recording can be viewed here

Land Day commemorates the events of March 30, 1976, when a general strike took place in response to the Israeli government’s announcement of a plan to expropriate lands in the Galilee for official use. Protests took place throughout the Arab settlements in Israel, Gaza Strip, West Bank, and refugee camps for Palestinians in Lebanon. The riots were suppressed by the Israeli Defense Forces and Police. Six Arab citizens were killed, and about 100 were injured.

Alison Weir guided us through the history of the “Longest Occupation”. Palestine has been occupied since Roman days at least, and Palestinian people have always resisted. Alison saw that resistance first-hand by traveling alone throughout the West Bank and Gaza as a freelance journalist at the height of the Second Intifada. Since then she has committed her life and energies to showing Americans how we have been complicit in the invasion, occupation, and colonial settlement of Palestinian land, and more importantly the oppression, yes, and killing of Palestinian people.

In the recording, there are three videos (from Alison Weir’s Youtube channel). The recording was not able to capture the videos properly (sound OK, but video doesn’t ‘flow’ properly)

So those three videos can be viewed at these links:

Video 1
Video 2
Video 3 (You have to confirm your age for this one)

Materials from If Americans Knew
The YouTube Channel
Vimeo Channel
YouTube: How Pro-Israel Neocons Pushed Iraq War (Alison Weir)
Youtube: Pro-Israel officials in the U.S. government pushed war against Iraq – Dahlia Wasfi
Book: The Road to Iraq: The Making of a Neoconservative War
Book: The Transparent Cabal: The Neoconservative Agenda, War in the Middle East, and the National Interest of Israel
Article: About US interests, and the Israel Lobby Organizations.
Article: Israel loyalists embedded in U.S. government pushed U.S. into Iraq War
Article: Israel escalates efforts to get US to attack Iran, as it did Iraq
Article: Pentagon officer described how Israelists manufactured anti-Iraq disinfo that led to war

Open Letter to Burlington Mayor, City Councilors, and Burlington Rabbis

In September 2021, VTJP and seventeen other organizational sponsors brought a Resolution in solidarity with the Palestinian people to the Burlington City Council – and they held a hearing on September 13th 2021. Opponents of the the Resolution mounted a fierce opposition fueled by an article by four Burlington rabbis in the Vermont Digger. The Rabbis’ position was echoed in some respects by Mayor Miro Weinberger. This letter addressed to Mayor Weinberger, the twelve City Councilors and the Rabbis addresses the diversionary issues raised by the opponents of the Resolution.
The resolution was withdrawn by the Councilors, apparently the result of public and private emotional response and harassment by supporters of Israeli policies, and diversionary accusations of divisiveness by Mayor Weinberger, and rabbis from Vermont and elsewhere. AT the hearing opponents attacked the resolution using every justification possible to oppose BDS, including arguments evoking the horror of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and blanket condemnation of Palestinian missiles launched by Hamas, largely in self-defense. It is deeply disturbing to see the history of antisemitism in Europe used by the rabbis as justification for their opposition to BDS, and in support of Jews inflicting violence and terror on Palestinians.

44th UN-declared “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” November 29th 2021
Solidarity Day

Reading a letter addressed to Vermont’s Senators and Congressman to recognize the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and to demand an end to US military funding for dispossession, oppression and killing of Palestinian people. The letter provides several ways that the money could be used instead to help Vermonters by funding 76 elementary school teachers, or 4,085 people receiving food assistance, or 1,057 students receiving a Pell grant, or 2,593 children receiving healthcare, or 83 clean energy jobs. (From uscpr.org/militaryfunding ).Read the letter to VT Delegation here.

Rural VT Statement of Solidarity with Palestine & Support for Actions by Ben & Jerry’s Inc. October 2021 Rural VT Logo

“Rural Vermont stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemns the Israeli State’s systemic human rights violations, discrimination, and the illegal occupation and blockade of Palestine which has now affected generations of Palestinians and the lands of Palestine.”
Read the full statement here.

Burlington City Council’s Resolution in Solidarity with Palestine

Photo: Luke Awtry for Seven Days

The Burlington City Council held a hearing on September 13th 2021 about the Resolution in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Vermonters for Justice in Palestine (VTJP) and seventeen other organizational sponsors brought the Resolution proposal to Burlington City Council and it was approved by the Racial Equity Committee.