The Arizona Democratic State Committee meeting in Phoenix supported universal human rights for all people of the Middle East, while Republicans meeting across town booed Kari Lake for her latest attempt to destroy her own party.
“Arizona Democrats recognize the fierce urgency of the crisis in Israel and Palestine, the reality that Democrats hold various views on the conflict’s history, and the immediate crisis’s severe impact on Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, and other communities in our nation and understand the importance of our responding in a way that unites people, demonstrates care and concern for all communities, upholds our values of universal human rights, and supports the achievement of just and lasting peace in the region,” the Democratic resolution stated.
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Arizona Democratic Party is unified in condemning Hamas and its horrific atrocities of October 7th that resulted in a war that has led to unacceptable and tremendous death, suffering, and displacement of the Palestinian civilians of Gaza, as well as the civilians of Israel. The right of self defense is not limitless. All parties must abide by the rules of war and international laws. Arizona Democrats support all being held accountable for their actions. Further, the Arizona Democratic Party is unified in its affirmation of the equal value of Israeli and Palestinian lives; affirmation of our strong Democratic stand against all forms of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian or anti-Israeli bigotry; and resolutely affirms both the right of the state of Israel to exist and the right of the Palestinian people to a State.
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Arizona Democratic Party is unified in its support of the Biden Administration in all efforts that promote a lasting humanitarian ceasefire that would include
● the immediate release of hostages from Gaza,
● the protection of civilians in Gaza and Israel,
● delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to Gaza, and ultimately
● the establishment of a Palestinian state
Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Arizona Democratic Party is unified in its urgent appeal for a lasting humanitarian ceasefire and negotiations to achieve an enduring peace which ensures the full and equal dignity, security, and freedom for Palestinian and Israeli peoples.
A week before the meeting, younger members of the party generally favored Palestinian viewpoints and older members were often more supporting of Israel. The Resolutions Committee worked long and hard to draft a resolution that appealed to universal values of human rights and called for specific actions to mitigate the tremendous suffering on both sides of the conflict.
In another resolution, the committee called on Arizona’s Senator and Democratic Representatives to enact legislation to stop bribery of Supreme Court justices. The Federal Judiciary Reform Act would prohibit giving gifts to the justices and their families, as well as prohibit justices from accepting the gifts and make it a crime for them to rule on cases in which they have received consideration. It would also prohibit some of the outrageous grifting by spouses of Supreme Court justices.
Across town, the Republicans were devoted to internal strife. Trump bowed out of attending the meeting after perennial losing candidate Kari Lake forced the resignation of yet another state chair. She released an audio tape that she said showed the party leader offering her a bribe to stay out of the U.S. Senate race in 2024. Lake was booed by the crowd when she appeared on stage at the event.
Sometimes mentioned as a possible vice presidential candidate, her recent antics have left her with few options.