FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Thursday, August 21, 2025

Progressive Groups Announce Support for DNC Resolution Urging “Arms Embargo” and “Suspension of Military Aid to Israel”

Three national activist organizations — Progressive Democrats of America, RootsAction and Our Revolution — announced Thursday that they are supporting a resolution for “an immediate ceasefire, an arms embargo and suspension of military aid to Israel” that is set for consideration when the Democratic National Committee meets next week.

“The whole world is watching in horror as crimes against humanity are being committed on a daily basis by the Israeli government against the people of Gaza,” said Alan Minsky, executive director of Progressive Democrats of America. “We have a moral obligation to do what we can to stop the slaughter, but most people feel powerless. However, it is well understood that Israel would not be able to maintain the siege of Gaza without the steady flow of U.S. weapons. Therefore, all people of conscience should demand the U.S. government stop supplying arms to Israel.”

Minsky added that “all DNC members should vote Yes on Resolution 18” — the measure calling for a cutoff of U.S. military aid to Israel, introduced by Allison Minnerly, a DNC member from Florida.

RootsAction political director Sam Rosenthal said: “It is time for the DNC to align its platform with voters in the Democratic Party — that’s why the DNC should pass the ‘Resolution on Gaza’ at its upcoming meeting in Minneapolis. Just 8 percent of Democrats now approve of Israel’s war in Gaza; at the same time, leaders in the Democratic Party continue to support Israel’s genocidal campaign. Meanwhile, Chair Ken Martin and DNC leaders also have aimed to blunt the power of the resolution on Gaza by introducing their own, watered-down resolution that stops far short of calling for an end to arms shipments to Israel.”

Rosenthal added: “The DNC should signal that the party is ready to embrace the will of its base and support an arms embargo against Israel. Passing the resolution on Gaza would be the first step in the right direction.”

Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of Our Revolution, said: “This resolution is a critical step toward aligning our foreign policy with our values. U.S. weapons should never be used to fuel war crimes and collective punishment. By calling for an arms embargo and suspending military aid to Israel, the DNC would be recognizing what grassroots movements have long demanded: that American taxpayer dollars must not bankroll human rights abuses. Our Revolution applauds this potential step forward and will continue organizing until our government prioritizes peace and justice over endless war.”

Below is the full text of the resolution, which is set to come before the DNC’s Resolutions Committee when it convenes on Aug. 26 at the DNC twice-a-year meeting in Minneapolis.

For further information:

• Sam Rosenthal, political director, RootsAction, sam@rootsaction.org, (860) 301-8566
• Alan Minsky, executive director, Progressive Democrats of America, alan@PDAmerica.org, (818) 749-9497
• Paco Fabián, deputy director, Our Revolution, paco@ourrevolution.com, (202) 412-9969

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DNC RESOLUTION #18

The following Resolution will be considered by the Resolutions Committee at its meeting on August 26, 2025.

Submitted by: Allison Minnerly/FL

Co-Sponsored by: Millie Herrera/FL; BJ McCollister/ME; Joe Salas/CA

Resolution on Gaza

WHEREAS, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has resulted in the documented loss of over 60,000 lives, displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians, and widespread destruction at the hands of the Israeli government; and

WHEREAS, international humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International have characterized the humanitarian situation as catastrophic; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party has consistently advocated for peace and followed international law; and WHEREAS, the escalation of violence and Israel’s continued blockade preventing humanitarian aid are exacerbated by U.S. policy decisions; and

WHEREAS, 27 Democratic members of the United States Senate voted for a resolution to block offensive arms shipments to the Israeli government Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) unequivocally condemns the ongoing famine and recognizes the immediate need to reopen the humanitarian corridor in Gaza; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party urges its elected members to support: (a) an immediate ceasefire; (b) an arms embargo; and (c) suspension of military aid to Israel; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee directs its leadership to communicate this position clearly to all Democratic elected officials; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee urges its elected members of Congress to recognize Palestine as country; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic Party affirms its commitment to international law, human rights for all people, an immediate and continual supply delivery chain opened for humanitarian focused life-saving food and medical care in Gaza, and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace for all in the region.

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