Yesterday, protesters demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the Israeli-Palestine conflict shut down the California State Assembly in Sacramento as it was holding its first session of the year. Members of Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNow, and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network were among the organizers who draped large signs from the galleries and shouted “Ceasefire now!” while 100 more filled the rotunda to the Capitol building.
According to Politico, even before the protest occurred, the Assembly’s Legislative Jewish Caucus had issued a letter raising concerns about anti-Semitism which it said had increased since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, coming even from allies such as some “capitol advocates and labor unions.” These, the letter said, had only condemned Israel but said nothing about Hamas’s crimes. The intent here is to equate protests against Israel’s genocide in Gaza with anti-Semitism.
