Out of respect for the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Los Angeles Teachers Union umbrella group on Wednesday blocked the sale of more than $20 billion in U.S.-made weapons to Israel on the grounds that the sale included U.S.-supplied weapons. He voted to support the Congressional effort. Used against civilians.
The Los Angeles Unified Teachers Union vote calls on California state senators Alex Padilla and LaFonza Butler to “pledge support” for the government’s action, called a “joint resolution of disapproval.” According to the sponsor, Some, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (R-Vermont), would halt sales of certain weapons to Israel. The issue is expected to be taken up after the Senate reconvenes in November.
UTLA’s stated goal is to “facilitate peaceful resolutions to the growing wars in the Middle East, in line with the March 2024 call for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.”
A union document prepared for the board, obtained by The Times, states the basis for such a position: They’re children. ”
The rationale also argued why it was appropriate for UTLA to take up this issue.
“As educators, we believe that Israel will destroy the current and future Palestinian education system, destroy all universities in the Gaza Strip, and force children to attend school in refugee camps or to attend school at all. “For a year, we have seen people being forced to do things they don’t have,” the document says, explaining the union’s rationale. says the resolution.
The union did not immediately release the vote tally, but it passed easily among union House members who attended the virtual meeting, officials said. The UTLA House of Representatives is its official governing body.
On October 7, 2023, a Hamas-led attack took place in southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages. More than 42,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been killed in Israeli retaliatory attacks, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, and the ongoing war has created a humanitarian crisis and left the territory in ruins.
According to the rationale submitted to the school board, “It is our duty as educators to speak up for education and the protection of all young people and their families, especially when our tax dollars If our government is providing weapons to accelerate this destruction,” the union said, members of Congress were not provided with a board of directors before the vote.
“Additionally,” the document continued, “This directly impacts our members. Many civilians in UTLA have loved ones who have lost their lives and livelihoods to this conflict.”
Israel is blamed Hamas Regarding the high number of casualties, he said the extremist group has fighters, supplies and weapons stationed in civilian areas, and even targeted attacks could cause serious harm to civilians.
Those who opposed the UTLA resolution included union board member Scott Mandel, who shared a statement he said he read at the meeting.
“Please understand that criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitism,” he said in part. “Criticizing the Jewish state without condemning the atrocities of Hamas is an act of anti-Semitism!”
Mandel added, “If this motion passes, we will not only lose many members who support Jews and Israel, but it will also negatively impact the candidates our union is recommending to the board. “There is a possibility that the negative PR will be enormous.” education.
At least two union members called for the vote to be postponed because some Jewish union members were absent due to the Jewish holiday Shemini Atzeret.
In March, UTLA called for a ceasefire.
In September 2021, the teachers union shelved a resolution condemning Israel and supporting Palestinians. Instead, the union’s governing body overwhelmingly passed an alternative motion to establish a voluntary forum for members to discuss the issue. At the time, union leaders said the decision was based on concerns that “this is an extremely divisive issue that could seriously undermine union unity at a time when unity is needed in future contract fights.” ” he said.
The basis for the new resolution is the JulyImmediately suspend all military aid To Israel. ” The union that signed the earlier letter was the Assn. Flight Attendants, United States Postal Workers Union, International Union of Painters, National Education Association, Service Employees International Union, United Auto Workers Union, and United Electrical Workers Union.
In an unusual direct warning from the Biden administration, the president told Israel this month it must allow humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip or risk cutting the flow of U.S. military weapons. Ta. Biden has until after the presidential election in November to act.
Sanders introduced Congressional resolutions, including one or more of those co-sponsored by Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont and Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon, both Democrats.
for military aid will be blocked, The resolution must pass both houses of Congress and be signed by Biden.
of targeted weapon This includes 120-millimeter tank ammunition, 120-millimeter high-explosive mortar rounds, and 50 F-15IA aircraft, associated weapons and parts, and upgrade kits for F-15 aircraft.
