Dem activists today approved 236-30 a floor resolution supporting a House measure backed by U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan to limit the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel and thanking Pocan for supporting the proposal.
The House resolution referenced is H.R.3565, the “Block the Bombs Act,” which includes provisions to ensure Israel is using offensive weapons in accordance with United States and International law.
The resolution states the Democratic Party of Wisconsin base “is overwhelmingly supportive of restricting weapons to Israel.” Dem activists rejected an amendment to remove that phrase.
One of the resolution’s authors, Palestinian-American Heba Mohammed of the 5th CD, said she is probably the only Palestinian still willing to engage with the state party.
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“This is an issue that our party cares about unequivocally, and we should have statements and values of that, stating that,” Mohammed said. “My family is currently being slaughtered with our tax dollars. It is a shame. We should be ashamed of ourselves and willing to stand up, and not casually listen to these remarks about antisemitism when we are performing a directly anti-Arab slaughter and genocide.”
A woman named Marcy, also from the 5th CD, and a Jewish-American, said: “I don’t support what the Netanyahu regime is doing in Gaza, and I wish it would stop.” But she opposed the resolution, noting Israel is frequently under attack from other countries in the Middle East.
“Israel is in a constant and perpetual state of defense. Arming Israelis with American weapons to protect itself spares U.S. military from having to do so,” she said. “If the U.S. were to stop or limit sending weapons to Israel, Israel would get them somewhere else. The resolution does nothing but remove the US from being an ally to Israel.”
At last year’s convention, delegates approved a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war despite opposition from leadership that it failed to mention the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.
They also approved a resolution last year opposing antisemitism, though delegates struck a line that stated antisemitic incidents have “skyrocketed nearly 400% since” the Oct. 7 attack, citing data from the Anti-Defamation League. Those who pushed the change argued that number had been inflated by including legitimate criticism of Israel.
Democratic Party activists also approved several resolutions aimed at President Donald Trump or his policies, including one to impeach him for seeking to end birthright citizenship by executive order. That resolution was approved by voice vote without debate. It was amended to also call for Trump’s removal from office.
Other resolutions approved today included measures:
- Opposing the SAVE Act, legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. The resolution notes “69 million married women citizens lack proof of citizenship that matches their legal name” and “more than 21 million U.S. citizens lack any or ready access to documents that prove citizenship.”
- Condemning the “weaponization of antisemitism.” The resolution argues the Trump administration has used it as “a political wedge to divide Americans, attack academic freedom, and justify slashing funding to universities and critical research.”
- Supporting abolishing the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. The resolution states the program “diverts millions from public schools” and vouchers “do not improve achievement and chiefly benefit wealthier families.” The resolution was amended to use the phrase “school voucher program” in the title of the resolution.
- Supporting restoring diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Wisconsin and opposing efforts to weaken or defund DEI.
The resolutions aren’t binding on Dem elected officials, though the party describes them as outlining “the principles that guide our work” as well as the “policies we believe in.”
