Jewish Voice for Peace Action, Coalition Partners Demand Democratic Leadership Call to Stop Arming Israel at DNC Winter Meeting
A broad coalition of progressive organizations led by Jewish Voice for Peace Action (JVP Action), alongside Palestinian and allied organizations, launched a press conference at the opening of the Democratic National Committee’s Winter Meeting in Los Angeles, demanding the party halt sending all arms to Israel and align its policies with the will of its voters.
Displaying banners reading “Stop Arming Israel” and sharing personal testimonials, speakers from JVP Action, Health Care 4 US (HC4US), Progressive Democrats of America, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Action (CAIR Action), and the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) Board of Directors called on party leaders to co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act, sever ties with AIPAC, and end U.S. involvement in what they described as “the gravest humanitarian crisis of our generation.”
The official Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 69,000 as the Israeli military’s campaign, backed by billions of dollars in weapons, continues with no end in sight. Despite overwhelming grassroots pressure and historic legislation before Congress to block further U.S. arms, the Democratic Party’s leadership has refused to reflect the desires of its own voters.
Coalition members also demanded that the Democratic Party sever all ties with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), citing AIPAC’s record of opposing core Democratic values, flooding Democratic primaries with right-wing money, and targeting progressives who speak up for Palestinian rights. They stated that AIPAC’s influence has undermined peace and justice, propped up unconditional military aid, and worked against the very priorities Democratic voters support. The coalition called on party leaders to stop accepting AIPAC’s money and endorsements, and to reject all forms of political influence that perpetuate occupation and apartheid.
Beyond ending U.S. support for the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza, coalition members called for a redirection of national resources away from war and militarism and toward urgent domestic needs, including healthcare, education, housing, and climate solutions.
“The polls are clear,” said Estee Chandler with JVPA, “the American public is demanding decisive action to end U.S. complicity in the Israeli government’s war crimes by stopping the flow of weapons to Israel, and the Democratic Party refusing to heed that call will continue to come at their own peril.”
“As Democratic leaders discuss the party’s priorities over the next three days, they should begin by joining us demanding that Democratic members of Congress co-sponsor the Block the Bombs Act—critically important legislation which already has 58 co-sponsors—that would block the transfer of the worst offensive weapons from being sent to Israel, including bombs, tank rounds, and artillery shells that are U.S. supplied and have been involved in the mass killing of Palestinian civilians and the grossest violations of international law in Gaza.”
Coalition speakers also warned that if Democratic leaders fail to meet this moment and continue to ignore the demands of their base or uphold policies that mirror far-right priorities, they risk fueling a vision for America rooted in authoritarianism, racism, and endless war, rather than justice, accountability, and genuine investment in people.
According to a November 2025 Data for Progress poll, 68% of Democratic voters support a ceasefire and stronger conditions on U.S. military aid to Israel. The DNC Winter Meeting presents a pivotal moment for the party to decide: will it respond to its grassroots base and chart a new course for justice, or continue to ignore the majority of its voters?