Jewish Voice for Peace rallies to block arms sales to Israel

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Jewish Voice for Peace rallied outside of the “Democratic Unity” fundraiser held at Roger Williams Park Casino Monday night, calling on Rhode Island officials to stop weapon sales to Israel.

JVP, allies from the Palestine solidarity community in Rhode Island, and other demonstrators asked for Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse to support the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval.

The Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, which urges to end the sale of over $20 billion in U.S. weapons to Israel, was introduced by Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, and Peter Welch on Sept. 25, according to Senator Sander’s government website.

Dozens of supporters gathered for the “Unite Against Genocide” protest, petitioning for federal representatives “to end their support of the unfolding genocide in Gaza and Lebanon,” according to JVP.

“It is incumbent on our Congressmen to push for an arms embargo to Israel, and a permanent ceasefire in Palestine and Lebanon,” retired Ward 2 resident Stu Waldman said.

One organizer who led chants at the rally explained why they believe the senators should support the resolution.

“With the Israeli government and military’s escalations in the past weeks, the bombings in Beirut, the complete siege of Jabalia and North Gaza, increases in government-sanctioned settler violence in the West Bank…we need our congressional members, especially our Senators, to take action,” harm reduction worker and ward 5 resident Jackie Goldman said.

The Joint Resolutions of Disapproval will be voted on in November by the U.S. Senate.