2024 legislative and news recap
Legislative Updates
Federal
Arms Sales to Israel
- The U.S. government significantly increased support for the Israeli occupation. U.S. arms sales to Israel more than quadrupled. The U.S. provided $17.9 billion in security assistance to Israel in 2024, and $22 billion since October 7, 2023.
- Congress authorized two year-end arms sales to Israel in November ($680 million) and December ($8 million).
Netanyahu Address to Joint Session of Congress
- In a milestone of U.S. support for occupation and genocide, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was invited to address a joint session of Congress on July 24, 2024.
- Netanyahu defended the Israeli genocide of Gaza, dehumanized the Palestinian people, and claimed the ongoing conflict was a "clash between barbarism and civilization." His full remarks can be seen here. He strongly advocated a regional alliance to antagonize Iran, destabilize the region, and ignite a regional conflict. He did not mention innocent Palestinians killed by Israeli forces.
- His speech received overwhelming support from both parties, though Democrats were more critical. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called the speech, "the worst presentation by any foreign dignitary invited and honored with the privilege of addressing the Congress of the United States." Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), the only Palestinian-American in Congress, held a sign in protest that read "War Criminal."
Limited Humanitarian Assistance
- The U.S. government announced $336 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza at the end of September. The U.S. Agency for International Development announced $230 million economic support funding for Palestinians in November, part of almost $2 billion of humanitarian and development funding since October 7, 2023.
- Gaza needs almost $100 billion to meet urgent humanitarian needs and repair damage done by Israel since October 7, 2023. Unfortunately, the Israeli blockade of Gaza intentionally destroyed much of the already insufficient humanitarian aid, including from the U.S. and United Nations (UN), or prevented it from reaching anyone.
Kentucky
Kentucky Party
- Shauna Rudd ran in the Democratic primary for US House (KY-6). She appeared on Kentucky Tonight, where she said "genocide," and out-fundraised and out-campaigned her opponents, losing by 700 votes.
- 40,000 Kentucky voters voted "uncommitted" in presidential primaries. Uncommitted delegates sent to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago were ritually shunned by Kentucky Democratic Party Biden delegates, and skipped during roll call by Governor Bashear.
- People from the Rudd and uncommitted campaigns gathered 7,000 signatures and put anti-war candidate Jill Stein on the November ballot as presidential candidate of the new anti-war, anti-corruption Kentucky Party. Third parties did poorly nationwide. The Kentucky Party gathered less than 1% of the vote in Kentucky.
- The Kentucky Party instituted bylaws, held its first statewide convention, and elected officers at the end of November. It will hold a statewide convention annually in May, and run candidates for local, state, and federal seats in all upcoming elections, including 2026 (magistrate, city council/commission, constable, school board, US House KY-5/KY-6, US Senate) and 2027 (Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture).
Lexington
Statement for Peace in Gaza
- On March 7, 2024, Lexington Vice-Mayor Dan Wu, alongside four other members of city council, released a statement calling for peace in Gaza.
- In the statement, Wu led the majority of the council saying, "We ask that the government of Israel allow desperately needed humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. We call for a permanent end of violence and long-lasting peace in the region."
- The statement was followed by comments from Lex4Pal members.
- Individual council members voiced support for a ceasefire resolution, including Councilwomen Denise Gray (District 6) and Jennifer Reynolds (District 11).
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News
2024 marked a dark year of death and destruction in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and Al-Jazeera estimate that at least 43,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupation with at least 16,000 being children. This minimal estimate accounts for 2% of the total population in Gaza. The UNRWA estimates that 9 out of 10 people in the strip have been displaced from their homes. The humanitarian crisis worsens when you consider that millions more suffer from profound food insecurity, resulting from the Israeli genocide and blockades to food and aid shipments. The United Nations (UN) estimates that at least 2.2 million Palestinians faced "emergency-level food insecurity;" 96 percent of the Gazan population suffered from "acute" food insecurity. Words cannot accurately portray the hardships felt by the Palestinian people, but through all of 2024's atrocities, there are reasons to hope.
2024 was also a year of great resistance and solidarity with Gaza around the world. In Gaza, Palestine lives strong with the people maintaining traditions, celebrating holidays, and showcasing Palestine's beautiful culture through food, music, visual art, dance, etc. Moreover, countless grassroots movements were born, aiding Palestinians in need of shelter, food, and the chance at freedom.
Despite the hardships, Palestinians continue to be represented at top universities around the world and boast some of the highest literacy rates in the world. At universities in the U.S. and abroad, mass protest moments paralyzed entire campuses as students called on their universities to stop funding Israel's genocide. The Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Center for Democratic Governance estimates that, as of June 2024, there have been approximately 12,400 pro-Palestinian demonstrations; this is over 500% more than pro-Israel demonstrations.
The resilience and unwavering spirit of Palestinians, coupled with global solidarity for their cause, is a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of 2024. While the year will be remembered for its immense suffering, it must also be remembered for the enduring strength of a strong people who refuse to be silenced and the collective power of a world trying to unite in the pursuit of justice for Gaza.
This article, like all original content in The Kentuckian, is released into the public domain. The Kentuckian is an independent publication. It doesn't represent the opinion of the Kentucky Party or any of its committees.