FACT BRIEF

Did a Wisconsin Democratic Party resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza address hostages held by Hamas?

Friday, June 21, 2024

By Tom Kertscher

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Delegates at the Wisconsin Democratic Party’s convention voted 136-91 on June 9, 2024, to adopt a resolution calling for an "immediate, unconditional ceasefire" in Gaza.

The resolution says 28,000 Palestinians, mostly women and minors, have been killed in Gaza. It does not mention Israel or hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

A party committee had recommended voting against ceasefire resolutions.

Republican Eric Hovde posted on social media that the resolution was unconditional and didn’t address hostages. Hovde is running against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., in November. Baldwin has called for a ceasefire and release of hostages.

The New York Times reported June 8 that 120 hostages remain in Gaza.

Gaza is controlled by Hamas, a Palestinian group designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. Hamas killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250 in an Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which in turn declared war.

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Sources

Wisconsin Public Radio Calls for Israel-Hamas ceasefire highlight tensions among Wisconsin Democrats at state convention

WUWM Wisconsin Democratic convention OKs controversial resolutions on Gaza ceasefire, anti-Semitism

NPR Wisconsin's uninstructed movement plans to keep pushing for an end to the war in Gaza

Wisconsin Democratic Party Democratic Party of Wisconsin State Convention 2024 Platform & Resolutions Packet

WisPolitics Dem delegates approve resolution calling for ceasefire in Israel-Palestine conflict over party opposition

WisPolitics Milwaukee Jewish Federation: Statement on WI Dems Conference

X (formerly Twitter) Eric Hovde post

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Baldwin joins senators pushing Biden for path to recognize 'nonmilitarized Palestinian state'

New York Times What to Know About the Hostages Still in Gaza

Wisconsin Watch Are most of the 2 million people in Gaza not members of Hamas?

Associated Press Armenia recognizes a Palestinian state, as malnutrition spreads among children in Gaza

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