Statement from the Madison Area DSA Executive Committee:
In the past week, Israel’s 17 year blockade of Palestine has intensified into a full siege, cutting Palestinian people off from electricity and basic supplies and dropping over 6,000 bombs in less than 7 days on the 140 square miles of the Gaza Strip. It has ordered over 1.1 million Palestinians, half of them children, to leave their homes. This is genocide.
This violence is not new. It is the culmination of 75 years of ethnic cleansing with support from the US government.
There is one, and only one way to end the violence: End the apartheid. End the occupation.
The Biden administration has pledged further unconditional support for Israel, on top of the 3.8 billion dollars per year in military funding they already receive. We condemn in the strongest possible terms our nation’s continued and unqualified support of the apartheid regime in Israel. We demand the end to military funding of Israel, and an end to the blockade. There must be an immediate ceasefire and provision of humanitarian aid.
We remember the devastating results of Islamophobia and dehumanization in the wake of the attacks on September 11th, and are distraught by the militaristic and genocidal rhetoric that we are seeing yet again from our country’s political leaders and in the news media. Social media is awash with this as well, as false claims spread even more quickly and easily.
Standing in solidarity with the powerless in the face of oppression is often difficult, when so many are so eager to side with the powerful. We as socialists must not back down in the face of bad faith criticism, opposition, and disinformation intended only to silence critics and manufacture consent for the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine.
Solidarity with the people of Palestine, indigenous and colonized people everywhere, and all those here in Madison and around the world who are struggling for their liberation.
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We will be holding a discussion on Tuesday the 17th, at 7:00 (Zoom) to talk about the recent events, as well as how we as a chapter should respond. We have decided to not make this statement public until after this meeting, to ensure our statement reflects membership.
Sunday, October 15 from 2-4, Madison-Rafah Sister City Project, Madison Jewish Voice for Peace, and Palestine Partners are hosting a Stand With Palestine Event at Tenney Park, and we urge all who are able to attend.
The chapter has donated $250 to the Middle East Children’s Alliance, which is being promoted by the event, as well as $250 to Palestine Partners to help cover event costs. Additional places to donate are Medical Aid for Palestine, Al-Awda Health and Community Association, American Near East Refugee Aid, and the Hebron International Resource Network.
You can find other ways to take action with the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights
Action Toolkit.
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
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