Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

Vermont Digger June 14th 2025 – ‘No Kings Day’ draws more than 16,000 to Burlington to protest Trump and authoritarianism
Vermonters unified in one of the largest protests in recent Burlington history to defend democracy, health care and migrant rights.
by Alice Finno and Henry Fernandez June 14, 2025.
Vermont Public:
Thousands in Vermont turn out to protest Trump policies
Several thousand people gathered for No Kings Day in Burlington, where there was music, speakers and a “die-in” to protest the Trump administration’s policies. From a flash-mob in Bennington to a state-long relay up Route 7, Vermonters in more than thirty cities and towns turned out on Saturday as part of “No Kings Day” — a nationwide protest
From a flash-mob in Bennington to a state-long relay up Route 7, Vermonters in more than thirty cities and towns turned out on Saturday as part of “No Kings Day” — a nationwide protest of the Trump administration.
‘No Kings’ Protests Draw Thousands Across Vermont. “Protesters waving signs, along with a large contingent carrying Palestinian flags, assembled in different sections of the city before marching down main thoroughfares and converging on the grassy green space.”

Judge ordered release on bail of Tufts student who still battles deportation order.
The Guardian
Al Jazeera
WCAX TV
Seven Days
BBC
VT Digger

This from Al Jazeera: Trump’s campaign to turn dissent into a deportable offence harms democracy: Deportation action against Israel’s critics sets a dangerous precedent of immigration law abuse. By Faisal Kutty, a lawyer and legal academic, an affiliate faculty member at the Center for Security, Race, and Rights at Rutgers University, also an Associate Professor of Law Emeritus at Valparaiso University.

This is the link to the legal defense fund for targeted immigrants:
“Mahdawi helped launch a $1m fundraising campaign to strengthen the legal safety net for immigrants in Vermont.”

Also – A Landmark Victory for Free Speech and work to Free Palestine
A federal judge in Nevada has dismissed all claims in a lawsuit filed against American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). The court found the case to be without merit, reaffirming that AMP’s advocacy is fully protected under the First Amendment.

Press Reports:
WCAX TV Should Vermont prisons sever ties with the feds? By Adam Sullivan and Calvin Cutler. Apr. 16, 2025
Sen. Peter Welch visits Mohsen Mahdawi in prison WCAX News Team, Updated: Apr. 22, 2025.
Outside St. Albans prison, Vermonters protest ICE arrest of Mohsen Mahdawi.Community News Service – Local reporting from the University of Vermont. By Ekaterina Raikhovski.
Vermonters rally for detained Upper Valley man outside St. Albans corrections facility. Saint Albans Messenger. by Aidan Schonbrun, Apr 17, 2025

Media Coverage
Vermont Digger
Seven Days
Seven Days Slideshow

“If I must die” by Refaat Alareer (1979 – 2023)

Apartheid Free Movement 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.

From the Electronic Intifada

Podcast: Breaking news and analysis on day 54 of the Gaza ceasefire.

Wafiq Faour and Zoe Jannazi discuss Apartheid-Free Communities. Watch on YouTube at 45:11

See: The Rake Vermont, by Paul Fleckenstein, February 6, 2025.
and WCAX, by Adam Sullivan, Feb. 4, 2025. “Vt. towns to weigh in on Palestinian apartheid ballot measure”.

Press Release – March 5th, 2025 here

Media Reports:

– “Mixed results for Palestine pledge on several Vt. town ballots.” “WCAX- Report Mar 4the, 2025
– “Vermont towns vote to cut ties with Israeli apartheid Residents across five towns in Vermont voted to cut ties with Israeli apartheid making the state the first in the country where municipalities have voted to cut economic ties with Israel.” Mondoweiss by Michael Arria, March 6, 2025 “

Thetford

At their 2025 Town Meeting, the residents of Thetford, voted overwhelmingly in favor of adopting the Apartheid-Free Community pledge initiated by the @afsc_org, becoming the first US municipality to do so.

Newfane
WIN! Nefane joins other VT towns to vote on Palestinian apartheid ballot measure.

Brattleboro
WIN! 57% voting to pass in Brattleboro.

Plainfield
WIN!
Plainfield joined other VT towns to vote on Palestinian apartheid ballot measure.
From The Times Argus: “Tuesday’s meeting ended with residents approving a non-binding resolution declaring Plainfield an “apartheid-free community.” The resolution expressed support for Palestine and called to end all support to “Israel’s apartheid regime, settle colonialism, and military occupation”.

Montpelier
NO
The vote against aparthied failed by 1,181 to 887 votes
See The Bridge report.

Vergennes
NO
Vergennes residents voted on Town Meeting Day had a chance to tell city councilors to take a stand in the war between Israel and the Palestinian people. See report by Andy Kirkaldy in the Addison Independent:
the March 4 city ballot will include a non-binding referendum to advise the city council to declare Vergennes an “Apartheid-free community” that is committed to “freedom, justice, and equality for the Palestinian people and all people” and is opposed to “all forms of racism, bigotry, discrimination, and oppression.” The measure was proposed by a citizen petition and adopted by the council voting 5-2.
Organizer and resident Anthony Apodaca stated “We believe that this is a local issue. When we were out collecting signatures, the overwhelming majority of people said yes and wanted to vote on it.”

Winooski
Apartheid Free passes! 655 of 907 votes = 72% in favor!

Apartheid Free Winooski Solidarity Bike Ride – Feb. 26th 2025 – Ahead of the Crucial Town Meeeting Day Vote

Winooski City Council Allows Apartheid-Free Communities Measure On Town Meeting Day Ballot
On January 6th 2025, the measure passed in a 4-0 vote by the city’s three councilors and Deputy Mayor Thomas Renner. Five percent of registered Winooski voters had submitted the required number of signatures to the City Council. Report here: in The Rake Vermont, January 10th 2025, by Matt Moore.

Burlington
The number of citizen signatures was reached, but then shamefullly, the Apartheid Free Ballot initiative failed by the Burlington City Council (5 to 5, 2 absent) on December 16th, 2024. Now, again, it can’t be on April’s city-wide ballot.
o Burlington City Council Remains Undemocratic, Blocks Voter-Initiated Israeli Apartheid Ballot Question Again. The Rake Vermont, December 18, 2024, by Matt Moor.
o Open Letter to Burlington City Councilors
o Voices for an Apartheid Free Burlington – Compilation of various speakers at the December 16, 2024 Burlington city council meeting, where the council blocked a popularly backed petition from appearing on the March 2025 ballot. – podcast by ABC Café Episode 31
o Apartheid Free Campaign – After the Vote Burlington City Council votes against the will of the people for the second time this year. Podcast: with Paul Fleckenstein, Wafic Faour, and Alyssa Breda.
o Burlington City Council Agenda with an attachment

Previously, 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 for Town Meeting Day 2024! But, the Apartheid Free Burlington Petition was denied by Burlington City Council. The vote was 7 – 5 against.
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.

Remember Apartheid? (South Africa, 1990)

It’s Back! (Two-State ‘Solution’)

– 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

– 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

January 17, 2025
Anthony Apodaca speaks with Ashley Smith and Wafic Faour about the Cease Fire and the Apartheid Free Campaign.
Ashley and Wafic break down what it means for local organizing.
Via Apple: here
Via Spotify here

What is ABC Café?
It’s a Vermont-focused podcast for curious people featuring interviews with artists, comedians, activists, academics, and whomever else we find interesting. It’s a long-form conversation with local people about how they influence their world and how they are influenced by it. Hosted by Anthony Apodaca.
Website here

Please listen and share!!

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.

State-wide educational and activist conference about the struggle to free Palestine. Thanks to the People’s Kitchen, for providing a Halal lunch – donate to the People’s Kitchen to support their work!

Recording (at YouTube) of keynote speakers with direct links here to each:
Michele Eddleman McCorkmick
Helen Scott
Fhar Miess
& Wafic Faour

Schedule
9am Registration Opens
10am – 11:30 Palestine Today: War, Genocide, Resistance & Solidarity

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

Sponsored by the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation

Photo by Katie Futterman | The Middlebury Campus

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.

Recommended Reading/Viewing

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

Teach Palestine
Resources for Learning More about the War on Gaza.
and more here

Scholasticide
Scholasticide is a term first coined by Professor Karma Nabulsi, who conceptualized it in the context of the Israeli assault on Gaza, Palestine in 2009, but also with reference to a pattern of Israeli colonial attacks on Palestinian scholars, students, and educational institutions going back to the Nakba of 1948, and expanding after the 1967 war on Palestine and the 1982 invasion of Lebanon.
It describes the “systematic destruction of Palestinian education by Israel” to counter a tradition of Palestinian learning, reflecting the enormous “role and power of education in an occupied society” in which freedom of thought “posits possibilities, open horizons.
During the latest Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, Palestine in 2023/2024, scholasticide has intensified on an unprecedented scale. Israeli colonial policy in Gaza has now shifted from a focus on systematic destruction to total annihilation of education.
See:
o The “Scholasticide” website of Scholars Against the War on Palestine and their Toolkit
o Article in Truthout: Israel Has Ruined 76 Percent of Gaza’s Schools in Systematic Attack on Education. Denying Palestinians’ right to education has been central to Israel’s settler-colonial project for eight decades. Truthout, March 17, 2024, By Thea Renda Abu El-Haj, Fida J. Adely, and Jo Kelcey.
o Israel has destroyed or damaged 80% of schools in Gaza. This is scholasticide.The attack on Palestinian education, educators and cultural knowledge isn’t new, but it has reached horrifying new levels. By Chandni Desai, The Guardian, 8 June 2024.

Genocide
Submission to the International Court of Justice by South Africa. For Proceedings instituted by South Africa against Israel on 29 December 2023. (Long and painfully detailed – 80+ pages)

Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism
How a Leading Definition of Antisemitism Has Been Weaponized Against Israel’s Critics Pro-Israel groups have used the examples attached to the IHRA definition of antisemitism to silence dissent about Israel’s attacks. The Nation, by Jonathan Hafetz and Sahar Aziz, December 27, 2023.
This open license must be revoked The open license to weaponize antisemitism against any and all critics of Israel must be revoked. Mondoweiss, by Bassam Haddad and Sinan Antoon, November 28, 2023.
Anti-Palestinian racist secures anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism resolution Electronic Initifada, by Michael F. Brown, 7 December 2023.

After October 7th, 2023
Is Antisemitism ‘Rampant’ at Harvard? The Closer You Look, the Less You See. Counterpunch Jan 25th, 2023, by Glenn Sacks
Open letter to the Columbia administration A statement by 18 Columbia University deans amounts to a new norm prohibiting Palestinian political aspirations in favor of privileging a politics of feeling to protect those who feel threatened by Palestinian freedom. Mondoweiss, by Rashid Khalidi, December 23, 2023
The profiteers of war: Companies fueling the Israeli assault on Gaza. NationofChange. By Alexis Sterling – December 22, 2023.
Chris Hedges “The Genocide in Gaza” Best-selling author, foreign correspondent, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Hedges addressed the Middle East crisis with a talk titled “The Genocide in Gaza” on December 6, 2023 at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in North Troy NY.
Roger Waters speaks to TRT World about Israel’s war on Gaza Dec 5, 2023: Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, who faced a censorship campaign and hotel ban during his Latin America tour due to his pro-Palestine stance, spoke to TRT World in Santiago, Chile.
The Companies Profiting from Israel’s 2023 Attack on Gaza American Friends Service Committee.
Bernie Sanders is failing this moment. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders refuses to even meet with constituents demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, and many have given up on him. “How many thousands of more lives lost will it require for you to take a stand?” Mondoweiss, December 4, 2023. By Anthony Apodaca and Kellie Kuenzle.
“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,”
An Open Letter to Burlington Vermont’s Jewish Community. From Ze’eva L. Chasan. December 3rd, 2023
Tensions over Israel-Hamas war simmer on college campuses. 60 Minutes Dec 4, 2023 (13.38 minutes)
Interview with Wafic Faour What’s Going On?: Gaza, Palestine/Israel Today CCTV, Burlington, VT
Powerful appearance on Democracy Now by Hanan Ashwari
Mohammed El-Kurd highly recommended that we listen to Ilan Pappé’s talk (October 2023) as filling in the history we need to understand here. It traces the roots of what’s going on to racism, more than to colonialism.
Historians For Peace and Democracy. Their recommended reading on Palestine and Israel (October 2023)
A Practical Appraisal of Palestinian Violence. – Steve Salaita , October 2023.
This speech by Noura Erakat, Palestinian lawyer and activist, is very powerful. Watch it for inspiration and fortitude.
‘I will not be silenced’: Rashida Tlaib won’t stop fighting for Palestinian rights. The Guardian, by Robert Tait and Lauren Gambino, 12 Nov 2023.
Likud Party: in its original party platform: “Between the sea and the Jordan there will be only Israeli sovereignty.” Joy Reid challenges a congressman on the place of “from the sea to the river” language and the double standard in the way it’s used and criticized. It starts at 13.2 minutes. Joy Reid – the ReidOut (MSNBC)
We are witnessing the largest U.S. anti-war protests in 20 years Mondoweiss; By Michael Arria, October 28, 2023.
Beyond the two States Solution Jonathan Kuttab. Get a Copy
Palestinian Children in Gaza hold a Press Conference and another information from the Good Shepherd Collective.
Calendar of Resistance Events Around the World, from Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network.
Anti-Defamation League Maps Jewish Peace Rallies With Antisemitic Attacks – American Jews have mobilized several thousand Jews across the U.S. to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. ADL calls these Jewish organizations “hate groups.” The Intercept, by Micah Lee. November 11 2023.
Why Does The United States Support Israel? Resistance Report. By Ben Norton, Geopolitical Economy. November 13, 2023
Vermont voices on the Israel-Hamas war. This conflict has reverberated around the world and throughout the Green Mountains of Vermont. Rallies, marches and vigils have taken place around the state. VtDigger, by David Goodman, November 15, 2023. Including interviews with Rabbi David Edleson of Temple Sinai; Wafic Faour, a Palestinian member of Vermonters for Justice in Palestine; Grace Oedel, a rabbinical student who works with the American Jewish organization IfNotNow; and Faud Al-Amoody, vice president of the Islamic Society of Vermont.
Mistrust of West defines Global South attitudes to Palestine. The Electronic Intifada, by Vijay Prashad, 15 November 2023.
The International Labor Movement Is Mobilizing for a Free Palestine Global labor unions are responding to Palestinian workers’ calls for solidarity and demanding an immediate ceasefire. Truthout – By Shane Burley, November 29, 2023.

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.

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

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 

Next Steps: – Get involved!

To join, email VTCPLInquiries@proton.me

Endorsing Organizations:

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 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.

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,”

Statement by Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

No Pride in Genocide

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

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

A Commentary in the Digger by VTJP people here

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