Jewish Voice for Peace RI stages "die-in" outside Senator Whitehouse's Providence offices

“As Rhode Island voters, we demand that you, as well as Representatives Amo and Magaziner and Senator Reed, do everything in your power to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire..."

Jewish Voice for Peace Rhode Island [JVP-RI] held a “die-in” outside the downtown Providence offices of United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse at noon on Monday to protest his support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza and to draw a connection between the Senator’s support for Israel and the $61,000 in political donations Senator Whitehouse has taken from AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee].

JVP-RI referred to AIPAC as “a racist, war-mongering pro-Israel lobby group” in their public comments made shortly before their die-in.

Here’s the video, followed by a lightly edited transcript of what they said before the die-in:

“It has been 93 days since the Israeli government started its genocide in Gaza. With each day, we are devastated to see that the Israeli military marches on with their deadly assault on the Palestinian people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. These horrors are backed by the United States government and have been for the past 75 years.

“Today, while you and your colleagues go back to work, we ask you: how many more thousands of Palestinians must die until you, Sheldon Whitehouse, our Senator, speak up against genocide? 

“How long until you use your voice to end this catastrophe? 

“How many more children will you allow to be murdered with our tax dollars in 2024? 

“How many more days will you support the Israeli government as they commit war crimes against the Palestinian people?

“Senator Whitehouse, you and the rest of our Rhode Island federal delegation have failed to take action against this genocide - a genocide funded by the tax dollars of your constituents who overwhelmingly support a ceasefire. We need an immediate, permanent ceasefire. 

“We need to stop Israel’s genocidal war on the people of Palestine. 

“We need you to authorize more humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza. You can use your power to send food, water, and medicine to the people of Gaza.

”We must ask, ‘Why? Why won't you act?’

“Could it be that you are more concerned with AIPAC than your constituents? Do you think we would not notice that you are more likely to listen to a racist, war-mongering pro-Israel lobby group that just so happens to be your largest donor for your reelection campaign this year than your constituents? Enough! 

“By accepting $61,000 from AIPAC in October, you have made your allegiance to the Israeli apartheid government clear. Neither AIPAC nor the Israeli government are your constituents: We are. As anti-Zionist Jews, will not stand by as you willfully ignore your constituents so that you can placate those you do not represent.

“On this first day of the 2024 congressional session, we condemn your and your colleagues' moral failings, Senator Whitehouse. You and your colleagues have decided that your political donors are more important than the thousands of people currently suffering unprecedented violence. In the first 30 days of Israel's incursion, they used two nuclear bombs worth of explosives on the people of Gaza, alone - SHAME. How can you stay silent as more hospitals and schools are destroyed, refugee camps leveled, houses demolished and people are murdered - SHAME. Your silence is an endorsement of genocide. SHAME You are making the active choice to say nothing as thousands are murdered and displaced from their homeland. SHAME

“We are a global tide. Our numbers grow daily, with millions of people worldwide. We will not stand silent while the United States and Israel commit atrocities against Palestinians. We are watching as brave citizens and journalists, often targets of slaughter, document war crime upon war crime. The whole world is watching what is being called the ‘most documented and most denied’ genocide in human history. At the same time we, and all of Rhode Island, are watching you.

“Senator Whitehouse, we gather here as your concerned constituents, and as Jews, and we refuse to let you use our identity to bolster genocide through your unconditioned support of Israel. Each day that you remain silent you reaffirm your allegiance. Not to democracy or your voters, but to donors, lobbyists, and fascist governments who make a mockery of United States citizens who overwhelmingly call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to these horrors.

“As Rhode Island voters, we demand that you, as well as Representatives Amo and Magaziner and Senator Reed, do everything in your power to secure an immediate and lasting ceasefire. This means:

• “You must vote NO on any supplemental aid to Israel, now and indefinitely;

• “You must call on President Biden and Secretary of State Blinken to end this bloodshed;

• “You must sign on to federal ceasefire legislation; and,

• “You must refuse to take more money from AIPAC.

“Blood is on your hands but it is not too late to act, even though close to 23,000 people have been murdered, and countless more are suffering injury and illness, hunger, famine, and freezing to death. You have the power to end this bloodshed and to stop the endless flow of money and weapons into the hands of the Israeli military.

“We will keep gathering, we will keep raising our voices against the tyranny of empire, the violence of imperialism, and your utter failure to represent the will of the people and pursue justice and safety for the people of Palestine.”