Statement About July 9 Incident & Israel / Palestine

As you may have heard, on July 9th I was forced to confront a verbal attack aimed at my Jewish heritage during the South Burlington Democrats’ Candidate Forum. It’s at the 40-minute mark here. https://www.youtube.com/live/q2-8LyolcLM?si=kcNMooj8sYCLa4wn

I tried to the best of my ability to handle the situation as my parents would’ve wanted me to, and I believe I did so. That means both, not allowing myself to be bullied, and also dispelling misinformation. 

I so deeply appreciate our community's compassion for the innocent Palestinian, Israeli, Lebanese, and Iranian victims of this devastating war. It has been heartbreaking to watch. 

I have, in fact, been an outspoken critic of Netanyahu's for over 20 years—longer than most Americans knew who he was. He is the Israeli Trump, and I stand with the Palestinian-Israeli coalition, Standing Together, in their efforts to remove him from power.

I’m running for the Vermont State Senate because I love my trans teenager more than anything. I want them, and every Vermonter, to be able to live in a state that is a safe, affordable refuge with strong schools, housing, and healthcare access.

Yet, because I am the only active member of the Jewish community in this race, I and my family have been targeted by a whisper campaign of false rumors by a handful of people who don’t know me. 

Two years ago, shortly after the October 7 attacks, I facilitated a conversation between a wounded Jewish community who was aching for the hostages, and Congressperson Becca Balint’s office. We met with a staffer. Nothing came of it.

I'm the only candidate active in the Jewish community in this race of seven candidates and the only one being targeted. And I am not the most supportive candidate of Israel at all. And I am certainly the only one who has a long record of being loudly critical of Netanyahu despite the challenges that has created for me in my own family and community.

In the progressive movement we encourage calling in, before calling out. I would gladly discuss this issue with anyone who is able to do so directly and respectfully. 

I have taken on tough fights that I felt were right. I never considered running for anything until a year ago. I do not have the carefully manicured resume of a career politician. 

The Jewish Action campaign was a single moment in time. That campaign is long gone and the situation has changed immeasurably. It would not be appropriate to leave dated content online for people to misconstrue - as they are now. That’s why it’s removed. 

Recently, when my teen and I were set to speak at the No Kings Rally in Burlington, we faced threats of disruption and harassment over our identity. My son showed incredible courage and spoke anyway.

It is incredibly sad to see the level of political discourse in this election cycle lowered by a small group of people weaponizing outdated internet tidbits pulled entirely out of context to spread these false rumors. I hope you take some comfort in knowing that I will not be bullied by anyone, under any conditions, and that includes this one.

I do not support the war. If I could stop it, I would in a heartbeat. Nor am I funded by AIPAC. I am not accepting any corporate PAC money.

My Jewish identity in no way diminishes my Americanness or loyalty to our community. 

Sadly, the Vermont State Senate has no more jurisdiction over foreign policy or Israeli politics than the Vermont DMV. Our federal delegation holds that power, and I do encourage you to contact them.

I am running to serve Vermonters on the crises we can solve locally: affordable housing, healthcare access, fully funding public classrooms, protecting Vermont from federal overreach, and protecting local governance. I will always protect Vermont as a safe haven, and I hope we can all do better in how we treat our neighbors here at home. 

Sincerely,

Joanna