WHEREAS:
Since Oct. 7, 2023, when the most recent war in Gaza began, 70,000 Palestinian people have been killed and 170,000 have been injured. These 240,000 casualties, most of whom were unarmed, represent more than 1 in 10 of the 2.2 million people living in Gaza before the war. During this same period, more than 1,700 Israelis have been killed and 8,500 have been injured; and
WHEREAS:
Israel, like any other nation, has the right to defend itself from attack and to take measures to deter future attacks. Nevertheless, the actions of the Israeli government since Oct. 7, 2023, have gone far beyond legitimate self-defense and response to Hamas’ attacks. The killing of noncombatants, denial and obstruction of the delivery of food and water, destruction of civilian infrastructure and forced displacement of 80% of the civilian population in Gaza cannot be condoned; and
WHEREAS:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is credibly accused of prolonging the war in Gaza to deflect criticism of his government’s intelligence failures before Oct. 7, 2023, and to delay criminal trials over his corruption charges. In so doing, Netanyahu has empowered far-right elements of his coalition government that seek to subjugate and permanently displace the Palestinian people; and
WHEREAS:
In the years since the Hamas attack, the U.S. government has spent approximately $22 billion on military aid to Israel. This significant military assistance and pledges of defense confer a responsibility on the part of the U.S. government for Israel’s objectives and conduct; and
WHEREAS:
While unwavering support for Israel has for decades been a rare point of bipartisan agreement in Washington, Israel’s actions have decimated that support. Almost half of House Democrats voted in July 2026 against $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel, a development described as “seismic” in news reports. A Pew survey from May 2026 found support for the Israeli government among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents has declined to just 51%, from 65% in 2022, and is just 28% for those under age 30; and
WHEREAS:
Many pro-Israel Jewish organizations in Israel, the United States and elsewhere recognize Israel’s actions in Gaza in the last two years as a de-facto annexation of Gaza and have called on the U.S. government to take action to constrain the Netanyahu government. Support for the Israeli people does not equate to support for Netanyahu. Nevertheless, some individuals and organizations continue to level charges of antisemitism against those criticizing the state of Israel; and
WHEREAS:
The current conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is part of a nearly 80-year struggle in the region between peoples who each have claims to a sovereign, autonomous homeland. Any effort to resolve the war in Gaza that fails to take all of this history into account will not result in a just peace, and likely result in no peace at all.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
The continuing war in Gaza is a tragedy and humanitarian disaster. AFSCME supports efforts to bring the conflict, attacks and Israeli occupation of Gaza to an end as quickly as possible and for the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza — and, where necessary, the West Bank — including food, water, medical care and the rebuilding of shelter and vital infrastructure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME condemns Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu and his government for the killing of noncombatants, denial and obstruction of the delivery of food and water, destruction of civilian infrastructure and forced displacement of people. AFSCME calls on the U.S. government to suspend offensive military aid to Israel until the Israeli government stops the perpetuation of these acts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME supports a viable governmental and security alternative to Hamas inside of Gaza and a successful transition to a unified Gaza and West Bank; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That AFSCME calls on the president, Congress, other nations and non-governmental organizations to promote a peace process between Israel and the Palestinian people that recognizes the legitimate claims of both peoples to a secure, autonomous homeland as part of a two-state solution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
AFSCME condemns antisemitism and Islamophobia in all forms wherever it occurs; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED:
That AFSCME rejects the idea that criticizing the Israeli government or Netanyahu for unlawful military actions is antisemitic. We oppose weaponized accusations of antisemitism against those making valid charges of human rights violations against any group of people.
SUBMITTED BY:
International Executive Board